(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Josslyn shows up at Jason’s place, and he asks how she got there. She says Tony drove her. She told him if he didn’t, she’d get a Ride Share. Jason says it’s not fair putting the guards in that position, but Josslyn says, it’s important. Nelle is suing GH, Monica, and Bobbie for malpractice. He needs to stop her.
Nina asks if Nelle wasn’t over the line just now with Willow. Nelle asks if Nina is going to fire her for being direct, but Nina tells her, she didn’t say that. She knows firsthand what it’s like to know a child as your own, and lose that child. Nelle says what Sasha did to Nina was terrible. Now Willow is teaming up with the Corinthoses and Quartermaines to take Wiley from her. Why should she try to be civil? Nina gets it. Willow told her about the procedure Wiley is going to need in a few months. She understands Nelle’s concerns; Wiley is small for such a big procedure, but it’s truly about the best interest of the child. Prove the naysayers wrong. Nelle asks, how? and Nina says, show everyone that she’s a good mother, and allow Wiley to have the procedure. We flash back to Nelle and Carly on the hospital roof, and Carly saying Nelle is on the verge of overplaying her hand. What if things go wrong, and she’s left empty-handed? It’s her chance to win people over to her side; her turnaround moment. Take it. Nelle doesn’t sign, and Carly locks her on the roof.
Willow joins Sasha and Michael in Sonny’s kitchen. She says they’ll never guess where she bumped into Nelle. At Crimson; she’s working there. Michael says his mom told him, and Willow asks if it doesn’t bother him that Nelle is going to look like a presentable, responsible parent with job. Nelle’s plan is to force him to share custody, and that’s what she’s doing. We flash back to Sasha saying Michael should marry Willow, and that Willow has always acted as Wiley’s mother. Why stop now?
Nina says if Nelle complies with her consent to allow Wiley to undergo the procedure, it’s sure to open up Michael to sharing custody. Everyone wins. Nelle says, it’s not enough. She wants what’s best for Wiley, but Carly isn’t going to get him. Nina says it’s her chance to prove to everyone she’s a good mother, including Wiley. Carly walks in, and says, sorry to interrupt, but she’d like a word with Nelle. Nina says, it’s not a good time, and Nelle says Carly can’t barge into her workplace like that. Carly says, it’s important. It directly affects her grandson’s health. Nina tells Carly to suit herself, and leaves. Nelle says, how dare Carly disrupt things at her workplace? She’s going to tell the court about it. Carly says she thinks Nelle will be interested in what she has to say. She’s about to give Nelle everything she’s wanted.
Chase goes to Sonny’s, and asks if it’s a strategy session on Wiley’s custody. Michael says, it’s more like a meeting of interested parties, and Sasha says they’re not making much progress. Chase says he has more bad news. Nelle is suing the hospital for malpractice, and Willow says they know. He asks if they know he’s also being deposed as a witness.
Jax sees Nina in Crimson’s reception area, and asks if she’s filling in for Nelle during her break. She guesses he could say that. Carly appropriated her office to harass Nelle. He says, Nelle deserves what she gets, but Nina says, it’s not helping. Jax says, them having to deal with Nelle is entirely his fault. We flash back to Jax admitting he’s the one who bought Josslyn’s kidney.
Carly says, Nelle wins. Nelle beat her. Carly is so used to being on top, she forget what it’s like to be outside looking in, but Nelle never lost her edge or let her down guard. She underestimated Nelle, and for that she’s truly sorry. Nelle says, that’s it? She’s sorry? After all the ways Carly hurt her, a stupid apology is going to fix it? Carly says, tell her how to fix it. How does she make amends? Tell her, and she’ll do it. Nelle tells Carly to start admitting she’s just like her.
In a memory, Eden McCoy (Josslyn) is young Carly, and Cynthia Watros (Nina with brown hair) is her mother, Virginia. Carly walks into thier apartment in Jacksonville, Florida. Virginia asks how the interview was. Carly says she was offered the job, and Virginia says she’s happy for her. It’s a nice place, and when she gets experience, she can transfer to the PT department at Jacksonville Memorial. Carly says she turned them down. She said thanks, but no thanks. She’s not staying in Jacksonville. It’s not the life she wants.
Josslyn tells Jason, Nelle tried to kill Michael, and should be in prison. She gave Wiley to Brad, and hid him from Michael, and now she wants to be his mom. Jason says, the legal system… and Josslyn says, that’s why she’s here. Jason doesn’t care about the law. He has to be the one to fix this. He asks what she wants him to do. We flash back to Nelle and Josslyn on the pier. Nelle says her baby is dead, and Josslyn believes Carly’s lies. Apparently, she’s one of Carly’s minions. Josslyn says she’s calling the police, and Nelle says, Josslyn would do that to her after what they’ve been to each other? They’re sisters. Josslyn says, Avery is her sister, and Kristina is her sister, but Nelle is a lying piece of trash who tried to sabotage her family. Nelle says she tried to open Josslyn’s eyes to Carly, but Josslyn is just like her. Josslyn says, damn right. You messed with the wrong family, bitch. Nelle says Josslyn might not be alive if it wasn’t for her. Josslyn owes her. Josslyn says, all she owes Nelle is a call to the cops. Nelle throws Josslyn’s phone, and they tussle. Nelle says, after all she’s done, Josslyn is going to regret this. Josslyn clocks Nelle. In the present, Jason tells Josslyn, he promises Nelle won’t get Wiley. He gives her his word.
Chase says he was present when Nelle learned Wiley had the procedure, and found out the consent form was missing. That makes him a material witness. Michael is sorry Chase got dragged into it, and Willow can’t believe Nelle’s vindictiveness. Michael says it’s not about Wiley or Nelle, but about his mother and Nelle trying to hurt her. We flash back to Carly saying she trusted Nelle, and every time she sang Nelle’s praises, Nelle was tightening the screws on Sonny. Drugging him, planting her bra in his bed. She can’t believe how completely wrong she got Nelle. She fell for Nelle’s angel act. She’s either one hell of a blackmailer or crazy. Back at Sonny’s, Chase tells Michael, the problem is, once again the law is on Nelle’s side.
Nelle tells Carly, let’s hear it. If she’s trash and a gold-digging psycho, so is Carly. Carly came to Port Charles to take down her mother, and got knocked up, using Michael as a bargaining chip. Michael gave Carly leverage, and was Carly’s golden ticket. Wiley is hers. Carly says, if it’s money Nelle wants, she’ll pay it, but Nelle says Carly isn’t hearing her. She wants the magic makeover Carly got. She wants everything she’s done flipped on it’s head. Carly seduced Bobbie’s husband, and it became Tony’s fault. She doesn’t want to face any consequences. She wants to be the heroine. We flash back to the first time Nelle showed up at Sonny’s house. Michael answers the door, and she says she’s there to see Carly. He says his mom is busy with a family party, and introduces himself. Michael tells Carly that Nelle is there to interview for the nanny position, but Nelle says she’s not. She saw the article in Crimson about Josslyn’s kidney transplant, and thinks she’s the donor. Carly thanks her, and says she appreciates what Nelle has been through, but before they proceed, she needs to find out if Nelle is really the donor. Is she willing to prove it? They can run some tests, and Carly will cover the expenses. Nelle says Carly thinks she’s lying. We move on to Carly saying she has the perfect job for Nelle, as her personal assistant. She’ll be working at the hotel, and learn a lot about the business, and she’ll also run personal errands for Carly. Nelle says she appreciates Carly trying to help, and Carly says, it’s not a made up job; she knows that’s what Nelle is thinking. Nelle says she has no experience, but Carly says, the job requires no formal training or education. She’ll be learning everything on the job. Then we see Nelle thanking Carly for the advance, and saying she’ll be ready to start soon. She knows she keeps saying it, but thank you. Carly says, Nelle knows she keeps saying it, but right back at her. They hug. At the Crimson office, Carly says, if that’s what Nelle wants, she’s going about it all wrong.
Virginia says, Carly is leaving Jacksonville? Where is she going? Carly says she doesn’t know yet, and Virginia says, it’s just a fantasy. Carly says, it’s very much real. She’s been thinking about this for a long time, and halfway through the interview, she knew. Virginia asks if he did something inappropriate, but Carly says, she said everyone there was family, and had been there ten to fifteen years. She can’t be someone who never moves, has the same job forever, and marries a good provider. Or worse, a loser who leaves. Virginia says, Carly doesn’t want to be her. Carly says, they’re different people who want different things. She wants to live in a big house, and wear designer clothes, and have more money than she can spend. She wants to travel. There are amazing people out there, doing amazing things, and she wants to be one of them. Virginia says she’s living a pipe dream.
Josslyn tells Jason that she doesn’t care if it makes her a bad person. She can live with it, as long as Nelle doesn’t have a chance to get Wiley. Jason promises her that Nelle won’t, but it’s too soon. She says if he waits until after the custody hearing, it will look suspicious. He asks if she thinks Nelle’s attorney is better than Diane, but she says, no. He asks if she thinks Michael isn’t as good as Nelle, and she says she doesn’t, but face it, Nelle gets away with everything. We flash back to Carly introducing Nelle to Josslyn at the hospital, and telling Josslyn that Nelle is her kidney donor. Josslyn says Nelle gave her the best gift, and they hug. We move to Nelle seeing Josslyn outside Kelly’s, and Josslyn telling her about Oscar. Josslyn says he asked her to go out, and Nelle asks what Josslyn told him, but Josslyn says she didn’t get a chance. When Nelle showed up, Oscar left. Nelle asks what Josslyn’s answer is, but Josslyn doesn’t know. Nelle asks if she doesn’t know the answer, or does, and doesn’t want to hurt him.
Chase says if Nelle’s signature was forged like she says, and Monica and Bobbie covered it up, Nelle has a cause of action. Willow says, there’s been no real harm done to Wiley; she’s just targeting Michael’s grandmothers, hoping Michael will back off, and hand Wiley over, so she’ll leave them alone. Michael says, Nelle is trying to maximize the damage, and pay back his grandmothers for rejecting her. We flash back to Bobbie catching Nelle stealing at the MetroCourt; Monica saying Nelle and Michael should get along in the best interest of the child; and Monica telling Nelle that no one has to prove a damn thing. They’ve proven it by being there, and she has colleagues who will back up her diagnosis of Wiley. Michael says, Bobbie couldn’t stand Nelle. At first, Monica was like him, and believed Nelle, but when she turned, she turned hard. Willow says, who cares why Nelle does what she does? They have to figure out how to keep Wiley safe from her.
Jax tells Nina, all Carly knew about Frank was that he’d walked out on her and her adoptive mother early on. Then one day, she got a letter; a long tale about Frank needing money. Carly threw it away, but another one came. Carly marked return to sender on it, but the letters kept coming. One came while they were waiting for Josslyn to get a kidney, and he opened it. It was a letter from a man desperate to do anything for money. He reached out to Frank, and offered him a million dollars. A few days later, Josslyn had a kidney. We flash back to Carly saying she knows Jax isn’t capable of paying a man to harvest his child’s organs, and Jax explaining what he did. He was desperate, but didn’t know Frank would take a kidney from his own daughter. Carly says, now it makes sense why Jax wanted her to drop the search. He knew where the kidney came from, and put it together when Nelle showed up. She’d assumed he talked to the parents, but she didn’t know Frank was Nelle’s father. Why didn’t he tell her that he paid Frank? He says he didn’t know Frank would use his own daughter, and Sonny says, Jax thought Frank was going to use a nameless, faceless person? Jax says he doesn’t regret what he did, and Carly says, Sonny would do the same thing for his child. Sonny says, he doesn’t have a problem with that. What he has a problem with, is what came after. We move to Jax explaining to Josslyn that did something illegal. He reached out to Nelle’s father, and offered him money to find a donor. It’s his fault Nelle came to town and wants revenge. If he’d been honest, it wouldn’t have happened. Josslyn says, it’s because of him she’s alive, and hugs him. Next, we see Michael asking how Jax pulled it off, and Jax saying, Nelle refused to say anything that would indict him.
Carly says if Nelle wants people to care, she has to give them a reason. Show who she really is, even if she’s afraid she’ll never be good enough. Nelle asks if Carly is a motivational speaker, and Carly says she’s the voice of experience. She wanted her mother to love her, and told herself that when Bobbie saw her, she would recognize her. But that didn’t happen. Bobbie treated her like the stranger she was. Bobbie didn’t mean to reject her, but that’s how she felt. She decided to take everything from Bobbie, and live Bobbie’s life better than Bobbie. Sound familiar? It’s what Nelle is trying to do to her. We flash back to Carly telling Sonny, no good deed goes unpunished. Sonny says, Nelle was working all of them. He asks Nelle, what was her goal? Michael says he’d like to know himself, and Nelle says they could start by asking her real last name. It’s Benson. It’s Carly’s last name too, but they have more in common than a last name. Carly is Frank’s daughter. In the present, Carly says, it was almost the same reason Bobbie was supposed to recognize her. Nelle asks, why didn’t she?
Virginia says, Frank left before Carly was four years old, but he was always making shortcuts and deals, waiting for a big payoff. She never minded because she had a good job, and Carly, but then Frank couldn’t deal with failure, and ran away. Carly asks if Virginia is saying she’ll fail, but Virginia tells her, she’s saying Carly is making the wrong choices. Going to Paris and Reno won’t make her happy. Carly says she’ll let Virginia know when she sees them. Virginia says, before she goes off to make her life better, she needs to figure out what is better. Carly says, maybe Frank is rich now. Virginia doubts it, and Carly says, even if he’s just ordinary, he owes her a lifetime of back child support. Virginia says, assuming he has it, which is highly unlikely, she’ll have to find him first. Carly says she knows Frank’s friend, Mr. Richardson, but Virginia says he won’t be able to tell her anything. Carly says, it can’t hurt to ask.
Willow says she’s sorry; that was uncalled for. Sasha says Willow is just saying what they’re all thinking. Michael says if he had a magic wand, or there was on specific action he knew would work, he’d take it in a heartbeat, but that’s not how it works. Willow can’t believe how little Nelle cares for her own son. We flash back to Jason telling Michael that they have to make a plan, and Michael saying he can do what Nelle can’t; play by the rules. He can afford the best lawyers, and Nelle was just arrested for assault and violated her parole. But in the meantime, she can request supervised visits. Jason says they can’t plan on things going right, and have to figure out what to do if they go wrong. All they know, is Nelle gave Wiley to Brad, and if she gets a sympathetic jury and walks, what does he think will happen? In Sonny’s kitchen, Willow says she’s not doing any good there, and she has to get back to the hospital. She jets, and Chase says he’ll go with her, but Sasha says, let her. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a girl. Chase asks Michael if he’s worried about Willow. He sure as hell is.
Jason tells Josslyn, Nelle’s power lies in her getting people to believe what she wants them to. She got Michael to believe she loved him, and Josslyn to believe she was a friend. She got Brad to believe he could steal Wiley to make Lucas happy. Nelle didn’t make Brad take the baby; it was his choice. He had the power to step up and do the right thing. Nelle wasn’t in charge of him, and she’s not in charge of the custody hearing. She’ll try to get the judge to believe her story, but odds are, they won’t. The facts are on Michael’s side. We flash back to Josslyn telling Michael, Wiley is lucky to have him as a dad, but it’s unfair how much time Wiley was separated from him. Michael tells her they can’t be angry or sad about what happened, and Josslyn asks if he thinks they survived the shooting to lead them to this. Michael says he doesn’t know, but he realized you have to take life in both hands, and not let go.
Jax tells Nina, he had no idea Frank was going to use his own daughter. He didn’t want to know anything. He just wanted his daughter to live, and committed a morally reprehensible act that he should have paid for. Instead, Carly and Michael did, and Nelle didn’t. It seems like Wiley will pay now. We flash back to Carly seeing Jax after Sonny had him detained. Jax says he cut a deal, and has to leave the country never to return. At Crimson, he tells Nina that he’s questioned himself a million times, mostly in the middle of the night when he can’t sleep, or when he’s watching Josslyn live her life; his beautiful, healthy daughter. All he knows is, he hates what he did, but he can’t regret the outcome. Nina says, he compromised himself to save his daughter. No doubt she’d do the same thing if she had a daughter to save.
Nelle says, Carly should have known her, and welcomed her sister. Carly says, they’re not… related. Nelle says Carly can’t even say the word. Sisters. No matter how much Carly wishes it wasn’t true, they have the same father – Frank. Carly says, Frank isn’t her father. He married her adoptive mother, and ghosted them before she even knew him. She only met him once. She tracked him down in Miami, trying to get a fraction of the child support he owed her. Nelle says Frank wasn’t Carly’s father until she needed money. Carly says she didn’t get a dime, and didn’t know Nelle was Josslyn’s kidney donor. She didn’t even remember Frank had a daughter. Nelle says, that’s a lie. Carly knew. She was there.
Tomorrow, Willow says, it’s not enough, and she has to do something; Jason says, without Nelle, there’s no Wiley; and Nelle says Frank had asked Carly to stay with them.
I haven’t really been keeping up on this show, but I always enjoy a Kenya story. I know it’s been years, but I still can’t get over that Portia thought the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad.
Every time I hear a politician say that, I hear Dana Carvey imitating George Bush. Well, if nothing else, now would be the perfect time to make that Pinterest fail lamb cake I’ve been dreaming about. Stay safe, socially distant, and try not to think of pink elephants. (Caught you already.)
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
The Walking Dead
I made a lot of noises during this show. Be prepared for, what?!
Hilltop burns. Carol shoots arrows at the horde like it’s going to help. Some of the zombies are on fire, but continue to move forward. Daryl slices the top of one’s head off. It’s chaos. The Hilltoppers stab and slice, whack and stomp, but they’re way outnumbered. Mary tells Lydia that she can’t go back out, but Lydia says she’ll never walk with Alpha again. Ezekiel grabs the kids, and starts to run, but Judith is missing. Earl finds Judith about to stab a Whisperer (sans mask) who’s on his last legs anyway, and he grabs her, saying they’ve got to get to a safe place. Zombies crowd the gate. Eugene runs toward Hilltop, and Rosita runs after him. I say, this is hopeless. A zombie pile-up slows the horde, and Eugene and Daryl get medieval on the zombies.
Yumiko gets ready to shoot an arrow, and sees Magna walking with the horde. She’s covered in blood and guts to blend in. Yumiko lowers her bow. Carol watches as everything around her fall apart.
Negan, now wearing a mask, walks through a field, and whacks a zombie. Alpha says that was one of them, and he says, his bad. She says they have to gather and replenish, and he asks if she doesn’t want to savor the victory, but she says, it’s not victory. She doesn’t have everything she want. He says, Lydia, and Beta tells him, it’s not his concern. Negan says he’s seen her, but not among the dead. He won’t stop until he brings Lydia home to Alpha. Beta blocks his path, and Negan says he’s at Beta’s service. Beta tells him to gather, and Negan says Beta wants him to herd walkers? Beta walks away, and Negan says, he’s such a d*ck.
Negan sees zombies toddling around in the woods. He goes near one, and it walks past him. He’s obviously relieved, but the zombie doubles back, and he’s like, WTF? He says, screw this, and whacks the zombie with his bat, and laughs. He sees someone limping through the forest, and follows.
Aaron pulls Luke on a stretcher. He’s headed for a cabin in the woods (not to be confused with the cabin in the woods), and sees Negan. Aaron reaches for his sword, and Negan says, hold on, dammit. Don’t do something stupid. Aaron says the only stupid thing would be not to kill him. Negan says he can explain, and zombies start to gather. Aaron says, enough of Negan’s bullsh*t, but the zombies are coming closer, and he’s conflicted about what to do. Negan backs up, and Aaron is surrounded. He starts to chop at the zombies.
Lydia looks up at the trees. She sees Negan walking without his mask, and he grabs her. She struggles, but he tells her, stop it. He says, sorry, kid.
Kelly walks down the road, with Alden who’s holding Adam, while Mary follows. Adam cries, and Alden tries to quiet him. Kelly says, nobody likes a cute baby voice, not even babies. Mary says she can help, but he says he told her to stay back. She says she can help Adam, and he says, the hell she can. Kelly says Mary knows him, but Alden says, knew him. Her people left him to die. There’s no way she’s getting her hands on this kid. He tells her, move away. Adam continues to cry, and Mary tells Alden how to pat Adam’s head and make a shushing noise. He does, but Adam isn’t having it, and Mary asks him to let her try. He finally hands the baby over, and Mary smiles at Adam, bouncing him in her arms. He quiets down, and Kelly smiles at Alden.
Mary, Kelly, and Alden sit, and Mary rocks Adam. Alden asks what Mary’s sister’s name was; she never said. Mary tells him, Frankie. Her name was Francis. Adam meant everything to her. Kelly says, and Frankie was everything to Mary, right? Mary says if she had it to do all over again, Frankie should be the one there holding him, not her. She gets up, and says, they’re coming. They jet, but zombies are on either side of them. They run across the road, and Mary tells them to follow her. The run to an abandoned van, and Kelly tries to get the door open, but it’s stuck. The zombies are coming closer, and Adam starts to cry. They finally get the door open, and Kelly and Alden get in. Mary hands Alden the baby, and shuts the door. She screams, and leads the zombies away from the van, which is now surrounded. Alden is like, sh*t.
Mary leads the zombies to a creek, and stabs them in the head one by one. When they’re all down, she laughs and looks at the sun. A knife plunges into her stomach. It’s Beta, and she feebly hits at him. He says she’ll walk, and she rips his mask off, saying, never. He pulls the blade upward, finishing her off, and drags her body to a tree. He leans her against it, and picks up his mask. A lone Whisperer comes by, and says, it’s you. Beta puts a finger to his lips, and says, shhh… Then kills the Whisperer.
Beta waits. Mary’s hand twitches, and she rises. I say, bite him, but an arrow pierces her head. It’s Alden, shooting from behind a tree. Beta jets before Alden can get another arrow in the bow.
Carol sits in the woods with Eugene on a fallen tree, while Magna sits with Yumiko. Magna tells Yumiko, they were either dead or trapped under rocks. She kept pushing. They took turns, and before they knew it, they were in the horde. She and Connie were together, and Connie’s hand just slipped out of Magana’s. Magna cries a little, and says she couldn’t find Connie again. Carol starts walking, and Yumiko asks if she’s leaving. Carol says she wants to get there before dark, and Yumiko says Magna has been through a lot; she needs to rest. Carol says she can stay as long as she likes, and Yumiko asks if Carol is going to leave her behind again. Carol tells her, she didn’t say that, and Yumiko says, instead of ignoring Magna, Carol should be begging her forgiveness after the sh*t she put Magna through. Carol asks if Yumiko thinks that’s what Magna wants from her. Like it will fix anything. They go through sh*t to go through more sh*t. Yumiko half slaps, half punches Carol in the face, and walks away. Good. Somebody had to, and Daryl wasn’t going to do it. Yumiko goes back to Magna, and wonders what the hell is wrong with Carol? Magna asks if she should have done that, and Yumiko says, she’s so sorry, but she’s not going to sit there and take that. Magna says, things don’t always work out the way they want, and Yumiko tells her, she never said they did. Magna says she can’t do this anymore. She’s thought a lot about the last time they talked. Now she gets it. Yumiko was right to kick her out. At least Yumiko doesn’t have to worry about someone stealing her pillow. Yumiko laughs, and they both laugh/cry. Yumiko takes Magna’s hand.
Carol walks alone for a while, and sits. A hand comes out of the leaves, and touches her. She smacks it away. A zombie starts emerging, and Carol smacks at it again. Eugene comes by, and she stabs the zombie in the head. Eugene says he didn’t mean to intrude, but he thought he should keep an eye on her. She asks if he knows what it feels like to want something so bad, go after it with everything you have, pissing off literally everyone, and getting people killed, and still having nothing to show for it. He says he does, and sits next to her. He says, there’s a meeting of extraordinary importance; a moment of do or die proportions. The biggest meeting of his life is coming up quick. Unfortunately, he can’t share the details, but obviously he can no longer attend. It’s just that it’s not often you meet someone you… Carol says, if it’s important, it’s simple; you go. He protests, and she says, just go to her. He says he sincerely hopes she gets what it is she wants, and leaves.
Carol walks near to where the zombie popped out, and finds a Hilltop staff.
Daryl and the others cross a field. Rosita wonders about the kids, and Daryl says, they should be at the rendezvous. Nebila leans on Jerry as they walk, and says, it’s still burning. He tells here, they’re almost there. They see the cabin, and a zombie toddles out. Daryl starts to run, and Dianne shoots it in the head with an arrow. Rosita says, this is the spot, right? and Nabila cries, where are her babies? Jerry tells her, it’s okay, and Daryl says, let’s spread out.
Inside the cabin, Judith asks Earl if he thinks they’re safe there. Did he see them? Earl says he won’t let anything happen to them, and she asks if he thinks Ezekiel is okay. There was so much smoke, she couldn’t see. Then he was gone. Earl says, he’ll be there. Ezekiel is one of the bravest men he knows. He tells the kids, they’re all doing great. They’re all so good, and their folks will be so proud. A girl asks, soon? and he says, real soon. He tells them, shhh, and closes a curtain between the rooms. Alone, he overturns a desk, and takes out a hammer and railway spike. He pounds the spike through the desk, and rights it again. He rolls up his sleeve, and we see that he’s been bitten. Judith appears, and says he lied to them. He says he did. He did it to protect them. Judith says, he can’t do this, but he says he doesn’t have much choice. She says she can stay there with him, so he’s not alone. He says he has his son Alden, who will take good care of Adam, and Judith is so strong, so brave. Now he needs to keep the kids safe from himself. He ask her, please don’t come near him again. A single tear falls from Judith’s eye. She touches his hand, and leaves.
Bodies are everywhere at Hilltop, and the smoke is thick. Jerry approaches quietly, with Daryl following. A door lying flat on the ground, starts to move. Jerry gets ready to attack, but Ezekiel comes out from underneath it. Ezekiel says, the kids, and they all run.
Earl looks at the spike. He gets close to it, and slams his head down on it.
The kids sleep. Judith quietly slips into the other room, where Earl is now dead, his head lying in a pool of blood. She comes closer to check on him, and he grabs her arm and makes guttural zombie noises.
Daryl, Ezekiel, and Jerry approach the cabin. Daryl takes out a hunting knife, and pushes the door open. The kids come running out, and Jerry’s kids run to him. Daryl asks if Judith is in there, and looks inside, calling her name. He sees her sitting next to Earl’s body, her sword resting on her knees. He takes the sword, and sits next to her, putting his arm around her, and she leans on him (both literally and figuratively).
Negan approaches Alpha. He says the thing she’s been looking for? He found it.
Lydia is tied to a chair in another cabin. She struggles to get free.
Negan and Alpha see a zombie (ha! sounds like the name of a children’s book). Negan says, what he sees is a bag of bones, and gnarly-ass teeth. She says he’ll see soon, but he says he’s not ready to meet his Maker. She says he’s proved himself again, finding her. Like a lion cub leaves the pride, it’s time he finds his pride. He asks if she wants him to preach her gospel, and she says she wants him to become a lion. He says he may not be hip to the Greek alphabet, but Beta is not an Alpha. If she’s sticking with the lion thing, doesn’t the young lioness take her mother’s place? She tells him, walk.
Lydia continues to struggle against the ropes holding her.
Negan tells Alpha, a long time ago, before the meat lovers started showing up, he lost someone close to him to pancreatic cancer. When the disease wasn’t eating her insides, the chemo was kicking the sh*t out of her. Maybe the cancer put things in perspective. She was never more beautiful. It didn’t matter how frail she got; even when she lost her hair. Alpha says, be grateful death set her free, and Negan says, when she was gone, he didn’t feel much of anything anymore. He didn’t feel scared or happy. He didn’t feel anything; he was just there. She says, that’s his strength, and he says he’s dead to the world, but she’s pretending, thinking that it makes her strong. She thinks the emotions are real, and they’re animals, but it’s bullsh*t and she knows it. Now she claims she has to kill her own flesh and blood. Alpha says, it is her destiny. That disease took his wife because it’s what nature intended. She couldn’t take him with her, but every day she wishes she could. Lydia was made for this. To be free with her.
Lydia gets the ropes off her hands.
Negan asks if Alpha still loves Lydia. They look at the cabin, and Alpha says she has to do this because she loves Lydia. Lydia will always be her baby.
Lydia works on the ropes binding her feet.
Negan and Alpha kiss. She thanks him, and goes toward the cabin. Negan follows. Lydia gets the last of her ropes off. Alpha reaches for the front doorknob, as Lydia opens the back door. Alpha and Negan start to go inside, but Negan turns, and slashes Alpha’s throat open. He holds her, kisses her, and gently places her on the ground.
Negan tosses Alpha’s head, mouth gaping and moving, at someone’s feet. Carol says, it took you long enough.
I didn’t see any of that coming.
Next time, Michonne is back, along with her armless zombie buddies.
🐴🌎 Someone’s Not Thrilled…
I don’t care if it sucks canal water. Aaron Paul could read the phone book, and I’d probably watch. Ditto Ed Harris. I wasn’t able to see it tonight, but I’ll catch one of the 57 reruns encore performances.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Whatever want just hold her he does
Michael snoozes on the couch with the baby monitor in his hand. Sasha comes in, and touches him. He wakes, and she asks how his day with Wiley went. He says, Wiley doesn’t like sweet potatoes. Who doesn’t like sweet potatoes? She says, apparently, his son. He says, his son. He’s still pinching himself. He’s Wiley’s dad, and that changes everything.
Alexis runs into Lucas at the hospital, and says she didn’t expect to see him. He says they were nice enough to give him his job back. Alexis says, of course (🍷) they would. She asks if he’s okay physically, and he says he’s been given the all clear. The hospital is the only place he feels normal, and Alexis says they could all use more of that.
TJ tells Molly, he knows she has reservations about marriage, but they can make it work. He promises he’ll never ask her to sacrifice her career, or anything else. He wants them to be equals. He wants to spend his life with her. He loves her so much. So will she marry him? She just stares at him for a moment, and says, sorry; she’s overwhelmed. He says, that’s okay. He loves her. She says she loves him too, more than she could ever put in words. He’s very brave to propose after she went off like that, but she doesn’t want to marry him. He says, she’s saying no? and she asks if he’s surprised. He says he is, and she says she just spent 30 minutes railing against the institution. He says, as it applies to other people. This is them. They’re nothing like that. She asks him if being married is important; saying vows and wearing rings. He says, yes, and she says she guesses they’ve never talked about it. She had no idea marriage was something he wanted. He says, now that she does, does it change her mind? She says, no.
On the phone, Elizabeth tells Jason that she just texted the driver’s picture and license number. He can use it, right? Jason sees it’s Cyrus’s guy, and I see his name is Walker. Jason says he knows this guy, and he’s on it. He tells her not to call the cops, and she asks, why not? He says, if it’s what he’s thinking, she could make it worse. Let him check it out. Franco comes downstairs, and asks what Elizabeth is doing. She says, Cameron was kidnapped, and shows him Cameron’s text. He asks if she called the cops, but she tells him, Jason said not to.
Taggert goes into the warehouse. It’s empty, and no one is there. He says he’s there. He followed their orders. Where’s his daughter? Walker comes out, and says, take it easy. Taggert says, bring her to him, but Walker says, the way he sees it, Taggert is in no position to make demands. Taggert says, if he doesn’t see his daughter right now, their plan is going to go up in smoke. Walker calls out, bring them in. Trina and Cameron come out a door at the top of some stairs. Two guys with guns come out behind them, and Cameron practically gets shoved down the stairs. Curtis waits outside with a gun.
Trina asks, what’s going on, and Taggert tells her, don’t worry. He’ll fix this. Walker says, so how are they doing this so Taggert’s daughter and her friend survive? Some other guys come out, and Taggert is surrounded. Taggert says, whoa. They’ve got no problem. Let the kids walk. Walker says that’s not for him to decide. Taggert says he showed up; let them go. Walker laughs, and Taggert asks if he said something funny. Walker says he never thought a man like Taggert would buy into that fairytale. Let’s go.
Willow tells Chase, she doesn’t know what she’s feeling, and he says, it just happened; give it time. She says, it’s so strange. When she gave her child to Brad and Lucas, she missed him every day. At the same time, she knew he was living the life she’d dreamed for him, even if she wasn’t in it. Chase says, then she was in it, and she says, it was the biggest, most amazing surprise.This doesn’t change things. She loves him as much as ever. She’s devastated that he’s not hers, but at the same time, she’s flooded with grief for the baby she held after giving birth; the baby who didn’t make it, and was a physical piece of her. She’s quiet, and Chase says, what is it? She says, if hadn’t given him up, would it all be different? Would her son still be alive?
Michael tells Sasha, Wiley doesn’t go down easy, especially since he’s been moved all over the place. He thought he’d just read a book, sing a song, and rock him. Sasha says, now that he’s Wiley’s dad… He says, he knows he has to do what’s best for Wiley. Let him cry until he sleeps. She says, his first big parenting decision. He says, before, they just had fun. Now it’s his job to teach and guide Wiley. She asks if setting the rules doesn’t include having fun, and he says, sometimes he caves because it’s easier in the moment, but he’s doing Wiley a disservice. She says she senses Michael has great instincts. Trust them. He says, it’s that simple? but she says she never said anything about simple.
Alexis tells Lucas, she’s so sorry about Wiley – and Brad. It’s just awful that it ended this way. He says, talk about not according to plan. Alexis is one of the few people who saw him. She says, he was beautiful, and Lucas guesses it makes things more bearable if he can help other people. She asks, how can she help him? and he says he could use an assist in his divorce. She says he’s got it.
TJ asks if that’s a hard no, as in never, and Molly doesn’t know what to say. If he wants the truth, the truth is, no; she never wants to get married. He asks if she never did, and she says when she was little, she thought being a bride was like being a princess – the dress, the shoes, the veil – but she’s grown up, and seen how weddings turn normal, rational human beings into Bridezillas. He says, that’s not her, and she says, there are couples who are completely committed who aren’t married; they even have kids. He says that won’t work for him. They’ve been together eight years, and they love each other. He’d assumed marriage was the next step. She says she doesn’t need a paper to validate their relationship or their love. She thought he knew. He says he knew she hated the meaningless display, but he thought, after all they’d been through, when he proposed, she’d marry him. She says she’s sorry, and hands him the ring.
Elizabeth tells Franco, she told Jason that Cameron and Trina had been kidnapped, and sent him the driver’s information. He said he knows the guy, and he’s searching. Franco admits Jason has a set of skills the police don’t have, and Elizabeth says he told her the police would make it worse. She wonders how long she has to wait. He said he’d be in touch. Franco understands why she’d call Jason, and she says she was hoping he’d tell her it was unacceptable, and to call the police. He says, why call Jason? Call the police. Unless she doesn’t want to, in which case he’s behind her 100%. He gives her the phone, and says, it’s 911. She calls, and says she needs to report a kidnapping.
Cameron elbows the guy holding him, and Trina struggles to get away. Curtis comes in, and there’s chaos while they shoot at each other. Taggert yells for the kids to go now. Cameron seriously kicks ass for a moment and runs. Walker says, go after the kid, and shut him up permanently. Trina is still struggling, and Taggert shoots the guy holding her. Curtis grabs Trina and puts her behind some boxes. The shooting continues.
Outside, Cameron falls. One of the guys comes up behind him with a gun, but Jason shoots the guy in the back.
Willow tells Chase, she knows it’s irrational; nothing can change what happened. She’s dwelling on the bottomless pit when she should focus on the next step. Chase says before she does that, the guilt he’s hearing in her voice… She’s entitled to feel how she feels, but remember she’s living with the consequences of Nelle’s cruelty and Brad’s weakness. They did this to all of them, but most of all to Wiley. Nelle is heartless, only thinking of babies as weapons to get what she wants. That’s who she is. Now it’s time to think about the next step.It’s time the people who love Wiley do the opposite of what Nelle did, and make the best choices for him. Willow thinks she knows what that is.
Michael asks how Sasha’s day was. Anything new? She says, Lucy is insane, but in a good way. They had a productive meeting today; it’s an exciting time. Michael says, wow. It’s crazy how just yesterday, they were both in the same place. Now… She says, it’s a whole new world. He says, it happened so fast. They never had a chance to talk about what that means for them. She asks if he wants to talk now.
Jason checks the pulse of the guy he shot. Cameron asks if he’s dead, and Jason says, yeah. Cameron says, all this gunfire. Trina is still inside. Jason says he needs Cameron’s help. Focus. How many men were there. Cameron says, four. There were five, now there are four. Jason asks if they’re all armed, and Cameron says, yes. Jason asks if Trina is tied up, but Cameron says, a guard is holding her. Jason says, who else is in there? and Cameron tells him, Trina’s dad. He was looking to trade himself for them. There was a fight, and everything went crazy. Curtis showed up, and there was gunfire. That’s when he got out, but Trina is still in there. He says he’s going in to help, but Jason says, no. They need a plan, and that’s a bad idea. Cameron has to calm down. They only have one shot at this. Cameron says, tell him what he’s got to do.
TJ looks at the ring, and asks Molly if it’s because she never really dated anyone else. She says, there is no one else. She can’t imagine being with anyone but him. Marriage isn’t for her. He says, even if it’s something he wants? and she says, even if. He says, maybe she just thought she had faith in him that’s not there. He wants to build s life with her, and wants to grow old together. She says she wants that too, but they don’t need a big party to do that. He asks if that’s really what she thinks it’s about for him. He would love it if their mothers could be there, but he wants a commitment through vows. She says, then what? and he asks what she means. She says, sometimes saying the vows puts weight on the relationship, and is the very thing that breaks it up. What if everything is great, and they’re happy and in love, and they get married and expect too much? He says, just because it didn’t work out for her mom, doesn’t mean it’s not for them. She says it doesn’t mean it will either.
Walker says if Taggert was going to double-cross them, he should have made sure his daughter was in the clear first. By the sound of the gunshot, the kid didn’t get far, now he’s going to be forced to see his daughter die. Taggert signals Curtis, and goes around, trying to get behind Cyrus’s guys. Walker says he’s not making a deal; he doesn’t have to. Taggert has trapped himself, and now they’re going to finish it. They won’t be as easy to kill as he thought. Taggert chooses the wrong time to pop out, and gets shot. Trina screams.
Michael tells Sasha, he doesn’t want to make assumptions. He wants her to be involved and a part of this, but he doesn’t expect her to be instamom. He wonders if he’s contradicting himself, and she says, a little bit. He says he’s curious how she feels about all this. She says she’s 100% in favor of the sleeping through the night thing. As for the rest, not everything has to be defined every minute. They love each other, and adore Wiley, and Wiley comes first; his needs are the most important. As for them, she’s good with taking it as it comes, if he is. He says he is, and Sasha says they’ll figure out the Wiley part, and figure out them later. He agrees, and she says, it’s one decision he doesn’t have to make, or at least she’s not asking him to. Michael says, they’ll go with the flow, and she asks if he thinks he can manage to try. He says, somehow, and she says, on that note, she has a conference call in Italy. He says, dinner after? and she says she’d love it. They kiss.
Willow is concerned that it’s confusing for Wiley to be around her. She’s confused, and she’s a grown-up. If she feels this way, won’t Wiley feel it more? He needs someone strong that he can depend on, and she can’t trust herself to not feel grief over the baby she lost and the one who’s not hers. Chase says, it’s like she lost two children at once. She says, it’s too much inflict on Wiley. Chase’s phone dings, and he tells Willow, sorry. There’s been a kidnapping. She asks if there are any names, and he says, it just says, two local teens. She says, go; she’ll be fine. The kids need him more. He says he’ll be back as soon as he can.
Molly tells TJ, sometimes marriage is the very thing that messes everything up. She doesn’t want that for them. He says he asked to spend his life with her. Obviously, he doesn’t want to break up. She says, what about the timing? Does he really think best time is when she’s still finishing law school, and just starting out? He tells her, don’t do that. Act like there’s a chance. She said never. Did she mean it? She says, yes, and he says, then that’s it. Clearly, he did a lot of assuming. He has a lot thinking to do; he’s taking a walk. He leaves, and Molly cries.
Jordan asks Elizabeth to tell her everything. Elizabeth says Cameron and Trina were going to the winter formal, and Jordan asks, who ordered the ride share? Elizabeth says, Cameron; he texted the driver and license plate number to her. Trina’s dad was there only minutes after they left. Jordan says, Taggert was there? and Elizabeth says, he was disappointed he missed the kids, and she showed him the pictures. Then he suddenly left. Franco says, more like abruptly, and Jordan says she needs to know what Taggert said and did. Tell her absolutely everything.
Curtis drags Trina out, and says, listen to him. This is what her dad wanted. He acted as a distraction so he could get her out of there. Cameron says, Trina, and she runs to him and hugs him. Jason asks, how many are left? and Curtis says, three; Taggert got one. Jason says they have to get him out, but they need to know Cameron and Trina are safe. He tells them to get in the car, and lock the doors. Trina asks if he has a phone so they can call the police, but Jason says, no police; it will just make it worse. Curtis says, Cyrus’s guys think they have more time left than they do. That’s their chance. The kids go to the car, and Jason says Curtis has been in there. What’s the best way to do this?
Michael cleans up there’s a knock at the door. It’s Willow, who says she hopes it’s okay that she came around back. Can they talk? He says, Wiley fell asleep an hour ago, and she says, fingers crossed he stays that way. He says, tell him about it. She asks how it’s going, and he says, it’s growing pains for all of them. He tells her that he needs to apologize. He should have brought Wiley to see her immediately, and didn’t. He’s sorry.
Molly leaves a message for TJ to call her back. Everything she said came out wrong. She loves him. Alexis approaches the table, and Molly says she didn’t have to come back. Alexis says, her text suggested otherwise. She sits down, and asks, what happened? Molly says TJ asked her to marry him, and Alexis says, she said no? Molly says he caught her off-guard. She had no idea it was something he wanted. They’ve been together eight years, and grew up together. Somehow, she must have missed the importance. She didn’t know it was a deal breaker, and nothing she said came out right. She didn’t make clear how much she loves him, and that she committed to spending the rest of her life with him. Alexis asks how they left it, and Molly says, TJ told her that he had a lot of thinking to do, and walked out. He won’t answer his phone. Alexis says she’s sorry, and Molly asks if she’s crazy. Alexis says she’s just surprised. Molly always wanted everyone married, like Sam and Jason. Molly says she’s older now, and she’s seen what marriage can do to people. Alexis says, specifically what it did to her.
Elizabeth says there’s something Jordan’s not telling them; what’s going on? Franco agrees, and wonders if Jordan thinks the kidnapping is tied to Taggert. Jordan says she doesn’t know. As hard as it is, they have to sit tight, and let her do her job. She has to make a quick phone call, and goes outside. She calls Chase, and says she needs him to run a check anyone with a prior association to Cyrus; anyone who has a drug, organized crime, or racketeering conviction. And get back to her asap.
Trina and Cameron sit in the car. Train wonders if they’re safe, and Cameron says, yeah. She says, right, opens the car door, and throws up.
Jason and Curtis stand on either side of the door. Inside, Taggert lies on the floor bleeding. Walker says Taggert made this harder than it needed to be. If he’d died like he was supposed to, Walker wouldn’t have had to take his daughter. Taggert says, screw you, and Walker aims his gun at Taggert. Curtis and Jason bust in, and Jason shoots the gun out of Walker’s hand. He and Curtis stand there like the badasses they are.
Willow tells Michael, that’s not why she’s there. Michael says he doesn’t know if irony is the right word. He’s been where she is. He knows what it’s like to lose a child, and the grief is indescribable. Now she’s lost two, and he wants her to know he’s aware of it. He knows one child can’t replace another, but thinks it would be a great benefit to Wiley for her to stay a part of his life.
Cameron asks if Trina is okay. She doesn’t understand what’s taking so long, and Cameron says, Jason and Curtis will handle it. She asks, how? and he says, they just will. Trina says she knew her dad was a retired agent, but not in a million years did she think he’d be pulled into something like this. Who are these guys, and why did they hurt her dad? Cameron says, at least she got out. That’s all that mattered to him. Trina says, they’re the dumbest hostages ever, and Cameron asks what they could have done. She says, jumped out, or realized earlier. Cameron says, for all they knew, it was a ride share to the dance. How could they possibly know they were being kidnapped. Trina says, they should have, and he says, it’s not their fault. She says, if she’d realized earlier, maybe her dad wouldn’t have been there. She has to do something. She can’t stand it. She gets out of the car, and Cameron follows.
Inside the warehouse, there’s more gunfire. Jason signals Curtis, and goes around. He shoots two of the guys, and Walker runs out with the other one. Curtis runs after him.
Michael says he’s not asking Willow to be mommy, but a nurturing female presence for Wiley. Kids Wiley’s age put people in categories. That’s how they make sense of the world. He’s transitioned from the guy who puts Wiley on a swing to the bedtime guy. It could take some getting used to, but she can still be her wonderful, sweet, loving, caring self. Wiley needs that, and to be honest, so does he.
Alexis tells Molly, she doesn’t know why she thought none of that would affect her; watching Alexis crash and burn in relationships over and over. Of course (🍷) it mattered, especially with Julian. They were so good, and when they got married, it went so bad. Molly is her stable, intelligent, makes healthy choices girl. An amazing guy like TJ knows she’s the one to spend his life with. She’s sorry she’s been no incredible example in regard to relationships. Molly has no frame of reference, but she’s nothing like Alexis. If she chooses not to get married, that’s fine. It’s her choice to make, but she wants Molly to promise her mother’s past will never be a factor in her decision making.
Jordan tells Elizabeth, Chase is in the field. She knows it’s scary, but they’ll find them. Elizabeth says she called Jason and told him what was going on. She asked him to look into it. Jordan says, as a mom, she has no right to criticize, but as a police officer, she wishes Elizabeth hadn’t done that.
Cameron tells Trina, all they’re doing is putting themselves back in danger. Her dad didn’t want that. She says, she’s not a baby. She can do something; they both can. They get back in the car, and Cameron says he knows the situation is a lot, but Jason and Curtis are good at this; it’s what they do. They said to wait, and as hard as it is, as much as she wants to go back in to help, they need to stay there. She says, help by doing nothing? and he says, yeah. She says, look at him. All mature and stuff. He says, it’s not his first hostage situation. This is the third time. Trina says, it was crazy with guns going off. Curtis pulled her out, and when she looked back, she saw her dad get shot. He holds her, and she cries.
Curtis comes back, and Jason asks if it’s clear. Curtis says, they got away. Jason calls 911, and says, there’s been a shooting. Three men are dead, and one badly injured. Bring paramedics. Taggert asks Curtis if his daughter is safe, and Curtis says, yes. Taggert says, take care of her. He grabs Curtis’s sleeve, and repeats, take care of her. His arm drops, and he closes his eyes.
On Monday, Jordan says Curtis could have been killed tonight, Sonny wants answers, and Trina says he’s waking up.
💉 Mary Pat Lives On…
I was really hoping she’d stick around Port Charles longer, but she got one helluva ending.
Time is not the great teacher. Experience is. – Lynsay Sands
What I did or said should never be more important than why I did it or said it. – Andrea Kelly
Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it. – Andy Rooney
I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. – Billy Joel
I am not good at noticing when I’m happy, except in retrospect. – Tana French
Find the things that matter, and hold on to them, and fight for them, and refuse to let them go. – Lauren Oliver
It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy. – Lucille Ball
When you lose your smile, you lose your way in the chaos of life. – Roy T. Bennett (I think my father said it better. His only advice to me upon leaving home was, don’t lose your sense of humor.)
📅 And You Get an Extra Day…
As we leap into March, see you when it’s time to get in step with the Dead.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Sonny comes in along with Michael, who’s holding Wiley. Carly says it’s good to see Wiley, and asks, what about Nelle? Sonny says, the cops have her. Lucas comes up to Wiley, and says, hey, buddy. Michael says Wiley is a lucky guy. So many people love him. Julian says, he’s happy and safe, and asks Lucas if he needs anything. Sonny says, it’s been a tough night; Julian should probably go. Julian tells Lucas to call or drop by if he needs anything. Michael says they have a lot to figure out, and they will, but one thing they agree on is making this okay for Wiley.
Curtis says, body count? Is Jordan in danger? Taggert says he and Jordan both are, and Jordan says she doesn’t want Curtis involved, but Taggert says, he already is by being married to her. Jordan tells Curtis, it was an undercover operation for the DEA. Curtis says, and it came back to haunt them. Jordan says they were part of a four agent team, assigned to investigate a major drug trafficker, who covered the entire Pacific Northwest. He brought drugs in from Russia through the Canadian border, and distributed them to the western states. Taggert says, he sold drugs to everyone, from CEOs to middle school kids. Jordan says, they infiltrated the organization to get evidence and bust him. Curtis asks, what happened? and Taggert says, he covered himself well. Whenever they found someone who’d turn on him, they’d turn up dead. Curtis says, but here they both are; alive and unharmed. Taggert says, they got the break they needed, and Jordan says, they took the dealer down, and left with their covers intact. Curtis says, no one knew who they were? and Jordan says, that’s what they believed. Taggert says, until their partners turned up dead.
Nelle is put in the cell across from Brad. Brad asks where Wiley is, and what she did with him. She tells Brad, he’s despicable.
Willow wakes up, and Chase says she has a minor concussion, but she’s going to be all right. She asks, what happened? The last thing she remembers, she was watching Wiley. She sits up, saying, oh my God. Nelle was there and wanted to take Wiley. Chase says she was arrested, and Willow asks if Wiley is okay. He says, Wiley is fine; he’s with Michael, and she says, thank God. He says he has a lot he needs to tell her, and she says, it’s bad? He nods and she says, okay. Just give her a minute to be glad her son is okay.
Carly says, Michael is right. Wiley has had a confusing, big night. She knows he’s tired, and it’s past his bedtime. Maybe he’d like a snack first. Michael asks if Lucas wants to give Wiley a snack; they’ll talk later. Lucas says, yeah, and takes Wiley, asking if he’s if hungry. He tells Michael, he’s so sorry.
Carly tells Lucas that he has nothing to be sorry for. He didn’t do this. Bobbie says, no one is blaming him, least of all Michael. Michael says Lucas isn’t responsible, and Bobbie suggests giving Wiley his snack. She and Lucas go into the kitchen, and Carly says, what Michael did just now, giving Lucas time with Wiley, was so generous. Michael says he needs their help, and thinks Lucas could use Carly right now. Carly asks if Michael is okay, and he says he’s still figuring it all out, but he’ll be fine. Carly says Michael is a good man, and she loves him. She hugs him, and he says he loves her too. She goes to the kitchen, and Michael tells Sasha that he forgot to thank her for calling Chase. She says she’s glad she could help in a small way. Sonny says, now that Wiley is in the other room, tell him what the hell happened. How did Brad get his hands on Michael’s son, and keep it a secret for more than a year?
Curtis says, Bob Endicott, Jordan’s former boss, the one she said couldn’t have possibly OD’d. He was part of the team too? She says, and Mark Simon is also dead. Taggert says, also from a drug overdose. Two down, and him and Jordan left. Curtis says Jordan thought she shouldn’t tell him she has a target on her back?
Julian pours a shot of whiskey, and Ava runs in, asking if he’s all right. Is he hurt? He says, no, and she asks, what is it? He said he needed her, and it was an emergency. He hung up, and she thought she’d find him bleeding to death. He says, it’s nothing that simple, and she asks, what’s going on? He says, Brad confessed, and she says, to what? He says, Wiley isn’t Willow’s son; he’s Michael’s son, and Sonny’s grandson.The baby Lucas and Brad adopted was Nelle’s baby. He only saw the baby once. Lucas was in surgery, and Brad took the baby home. He laid the baby in his crib, and when he came back, the baby wasn’t breathing; sudden infant death syndrome. From there, things happened, and Nelle gave Brad the baby she’d had with Michael. Ava asks what he means by things happened, and he says, they switched babies by the side of the road. Somehow, Nelle convinced Brad to take the baby home that she’d had with Michael. Ava asks if Sonny knows, and Julian nods. She asks where Brad is now, and he says, in jail. She says he’s got to be terrified, and Julian says, he’s not the only one. She says, please tell her that he didn’t help Brad steal Sonny’s grandchild. He says he didn’t but… She says, if Sonny finds out… Julian says, he’s a dead man.
Chase tells Willow, it’s going to be confusing. She’s going to have a lot of questions, but he’ll do his best to answer them. The details are pretty hazy, but the central factor is undeniable. She says, okay… and he says Wiley isn’t her son. Nelle and Michael are his birth parents.
Nelle asks if Brad knows how she felt, waking up on a cold, damp road to find a dead baby in her arms. He asks what she’s talking about, and she says Jonah meant everything to her. He was the only thing she had left of Michael, and Brad stole him from her. Brad says, no. She said he had to take the baby. She asks if that’s the story he’s going with; he’s the innocent victim. He says she knows it was her idea, and she tells him to stop lying to save himself. She was overwhelmed with grief, and so was Michael. They were mourning a child they thought was dead because of him. Brad says she told him the baby would be better off if he and Lucas raised him. She didn’t want the baby anywhere near Michael. She says Brad was her only friend; stop pretending. Stop pretending he cares, when on the worst night of her life, he stole her child.
Julian tells Ava, a few days afterward, Brad told him that it wasn’t the original baby, and the first baby died. He said he’d gotten a new baby from some random homeless woman. Ava asks if he believed that, and Julian says he thought it was convenient, but it didn’t occur to him that Brad had helped himself to Sonny’s grandson. She says, Brad eventually told Julian the truth? and Julian says, eventually. She asks what the hell he was thinking. Why not go to Sonny the minute that loser told him that he’d switched babies? He says, unfortunately, Brad is his son-in-law, and when Brad came clean, Wiley was more than a year old. Lucas had time to bond with Wiley, and he wasn’t taking Wiley away from his son.
Willow tells Chase, someone made a mistake, and he says he’s sorry, but it’s true. Wiley is Michael’s son. She says, it doesn’t make sense, and he says he can explain. When Willow gave birth at Mercy Hospital on July 29th, 2018, Alexis brought the infant to GH, and delivered him to his adoptive father Brad. Lucas was in surgery, and Brad brought the infant home. Willow asks him to stop calling the baby the infant; his name is Wiley. Chase says, Brad placed Wiley in the crib, but when he came back to check on him, he wasn’t breathing. She says, no, and keeps repeating it as Chase talks. He says, Brad tried CPR, but the baby was unresponsive. Willow gets up, but sinks to the ground, yelling, no! He holds her, and says, it’s okay. I guess because he can’t think of anything else to say, since it’s clearly not okay.
Bobbie says she could wring Brad’s neck, and Lucas says he wishes he could hate Brad as much as she does, but he knows Brad. He knows Brad loves him and Wiley. Bobbie says, forgive her for not being kind and understanding, but Brad created incredible harm. That’s not love; it’s selfishness. Carly agrees, and says what Brad did was wrong, but at least they know Wiley spent his first year in a loving home. Lucas says Wiley gave it right back; he misses Wiley already. Bobbie says he’s Wiley’s father. It’s not like ripping off a name tag and moving on. Carly says Bobbie is right. No one expects him to stop loving Wiley. Lucas asks, what happens now? Wiley chomps on a cracker, oblivious to all the anxiety around him.
Julian tells Ava, the look on Lucas’s face when Brad confessed… He’d give anything not to see it again. She says, it was never going to end well. The problem is, eventually Brad is going to tell everyone that Julian was in on it. Julian says, it’s going to kill Lucas, and Ava says, Sonny is going to kill Julian. They have to get him out of town; out of the country. He says, if Sonny wants revenge, Sonny will hunt him down until he gets it. He’s not running. She asks what the brave act is for, and he says she should know more than anyone what it feels like to fail your own children. When Lucas became a father, he saw a crack in Lucas’s armor, and thought the relationship could be repaired. She says, with Brad in a constant state of panic, and him keeping the secret? He says he had a plan to shut Brad out, and the constant threat. She takes it the plan didn’t work, and he says, none of it would have happened if Lucas hadn’t gotten in that car.
Jordan says she was managing things, but Curtis says that’s not how they do things. When trouble is coming for her, he’s her first line of defense, not Taggert. Taggert says they were traying to figure things out without worrying their families. Curtis says, call Anna, but Jordan says, no. Taggert says they have to do it alone, and Curtis says he can’t believe this. As major drug trafficker has them in his sights, and they don’t want to call for backup? There’s something they’re still hiding. Taggert says Curtis is still jumping to conclusions, but Jordan says Curtis is right. They are.
Willow asks Chase how it happened. How did her baby get switched with Michael’s? He says, Brad was heading back to the hospital, but he was too emotional to drive. He pulled over same road where Michael and Nelle had the accident. Michael was trapped in the car; Nelle left him there. She must have given birth a short time later, since she had the baby with her when she knocked on Brad’s car window. He sits on the floor next to her. Willow says, which one came up with the idea? He says, Brad swears it was Nelle, and she says, of course (🍷) it was. She says that twice, so (🍷)
Michael says, when he and Chase got to the apartment, Nelle was on her way out with Wiley. He distracted Nelle long enough so Chase could grab her, and he took Wiley. He was holding Wiley like he’d done a thousand times before, but now he knew he was Wiley’s father. Sonny tells him to get used to the feeling like his heart is going to burst and he wants to give everything to his child. It doesn’t go away. Michael says he feels for Lucas, and Sasha tells him, they all feel terrible, but don’t let it stop him from feeling joy. It’s not selfish to be happy that his boy is alive. Sonny says both sadness and happiness in your heart is called being human. Michael says it’s not just about him. Wiley is losing the only parents he’s ever known. Sasha says, he’s gaining a father he already knows and loves, who’s always been present in his life. Michael says being the special occasion guy is a whole different thing than being Wiley’s dad, the one he trusts the most. Blood didn’t make Sonny his father. It was the way Sonny took care of him, and how he trusted Sonny. Sonny says, Wiley feels the same way, and knows in his heart Michael loves him. Michael wonders if the right way to love Wiley is to make him leave a house he already knows, with one of the fathers who he already loves.
Brad says Nelle knows what she’s doing won’t work. He’s not taking the blame for what she did. She says, all she did was pass out with a baby in her arms. Brad says she was wide awake when she told him to take the baby. She said it would make Lucas happy. It never would have entered his head if she hadn’t put it there. She says, now she’s a liar? He says that’s what she does. She cons people, and plants thoughts in their heads, so they don’t know right from wrong anymore. She says she’d just delivered a baby. She was weak and unconscious when he took Wiley from her. He says, what about Obrecht? She delivered Nelle’s baby; Nelle wasn’t alone in the woods like she told Michael. She says she had no idea what happened when she was alone. Waking up on the side of the road, all she remembers is that she had a dead baby in her arms. Brad says she has no idea what it’s like to lose a baby, and she says she lost Jonah. First Brad steals him, and now he’s telling her that Wiley loves him more than her. Brad says, that’s not true, and she says he robbed her of time with her son. He knew the truth, that her baby was alive. He says he’s going to make sure everyone knows Nelle gave him to Brad. He and Lucas gave him a home and family, and she’ll never love him the way they do. She calls the guard, and says Brad is antagonizing her. Get him out.
Taggert says, wait, but Jordan says, they started this. That means they’re going to finish it. Curtis says, she’s right. Taggert can’t come up in there saying they were working undercover with the DEA, and not give him the whole story. Jordan says, they’re not guessing about the attacks. The dealer knows who they are, and came there to burn her city down. She knows this because she went to see him at Pentenville. Taggert asks, when? and Jordan says he didn’t come out and say he was after them. It was what he didn’t say that alerted her to what he was doing. Taggert wonders what Cyrus is doing in Pentenville, and Jordan says he got moved. He was always good at making political connections. Curtis asks, who is this guy? and Jordan hands him a file, saying, Cyrus Renault. Curtis looks through it, and says, sounds like a good dude. She says they believe he’s behind the attacks on Sonny, but Curtis says, drugs are not Sonny’s thing. She says, Cyrus gets a fresh new market in taking over Sonny’s territory. Taggert says, after everything they did to put him away; now he’s back. He’s not going to surprise them anymore. He’s going to check with some people. He tells Curtis, now that he knows everything, go easy on her. She was just trying to protect him. Taggert leaves, and Curtis says Jordan never fails to surprise him. Tell him the full story. She says he won’t be happy she did.
Carly tells Lucas, whatever happens next, they’ll get through it together. Bobbie says, his sister is right. Don’t let what Brad did push him away from his family. Carly says, it’s hard. Lucas has every right to be angry, mad, and hurt. Let them be his safe space. Bobbie tells him, never forget he’s done an amazing job raising Wiley. Carly says, nothing can change that. Everyone came together to keep Wiley safe and make him feel loved.
Willow says, of course (🍷) it was Nelle. She hates Michael, and wanted to hurt him. What could be worse than… Chase says, Brad took the baby home, and when the police found Nelle, she had her baby in her arms. The took her to the hospital, where she gave the baby to Michael. Willow says, Michael talked about it in their grief support group. How still the baby was. He wanted to tell himself the baby was just asleep, but he could feel the truth. Even then, he didn’t want to let the baby go. He went to the chapel to ask God why, but God didn’t have an answer. Eventually, the nurse came, and he had to give the baby up. He said it was the worst moment of his life, and she thought she understood. She had to give her baby up when the nurse came to take him for the adoption. She was just missing her baby. Michael was grieving his. Now it’s her turn to grieve her child. She starts to cry.
Jordan tells Curtis, the four of them worked their ways into different parts of Cyrus’s business, but they couldn’t gather enough evidence to bring him up on charges. All that work for nothing. Curtis says he knows the feeling. She says she was in too deep, and losing touch with who she was on the inside. He says, the part of her that’s a mother, and she says she needed to go home, see her kid, and remind herself of what’s truly important. He says it sounds like she reached a turning point, and she says they’d been involved long enough to manufacture evidence, and leave a trail for the FBI to find. So that’s what they did. They framed Cyrus crimes he actually committed. Curtis says, it worked; Cyrus got life, but Jordan says, because they broke the laws they swore to uphold. They were just as dirty as Cyrus. Curtis says, no, no, no, no, no. They didn’t sell drugs to little kids; they saved lives. She says he should be upset, and he says he is. How could she not tell him, and shut him out when trouble came? If the roles were reversed, she’d be furious with him. She says he’s right. She was selfish, and didn’t want her undercover work to touch the life she has with him. He says she’s got to be all in, or it’s not going to work. She says, on the other side, he doesn’t know Cyrus. He’s a monster, and just set up base in their backyard. Curtis holds her.
Sonny says Michael is thinking of giving up his son? All he’d be doing is dragging out the pain. Everyone knows, and more important, Michael does. Even if Lucas moves to China, there’s no amount of distance that can sever that tie. They can’t fix what Brad and Nelle did, but can give Wiley the best life they can. Michael says he’s right about everything, but how does he tell Lucas? Sonny says, say the words, and Lucas will respect that.There’s only one way this can end. Michael knows this. Michael says he still wants Lucas in Wiley’s life, and Sasha says, tell him. It will be a different relationship, but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. Sonny says, she’s wise; listen to her. Michael says he does. It just hit him, Lucas isn’t the only one facing a loss. Chase is telling Willow that the child she loved all this time isn’t hers, and her own son is gone.
Willow tells Chase, now she understands why Brad was so tense around her. She thought he was afraid she’d change her mind and take Wiley back. If she’d gone through with rescinding the adoption, she would have taken a baby that wasn’t hers, and when Shiloh tried to get custody, Brad could have stopped it at any time. All he had to do was tell the truth. Chase says, Brad’s weak, and easily manipulated. He’s been under Nelle’s thumb since they switched the babies. That’s why Brad was at Nelle’s parole hearing, and let her stay at his apartment. She’s been blackmailing him. Willow says, he let her.
Bobbie asks if Lucas believes it was all Nelle’s idea, and he says, Brad has told his fair share of lies, but it seems like something Nelle would come up with. Carly says it was the perfect opportunity to hurt Michael, and by extension, hurt her. She’s Nelle’s real target; the focus of Nelle’s envy and obsession. They’re collateral damage. Lucas says Wiley likes to be read to after his snack. Brad usually packs his favorite book. He digs in Wiley’s bag, and brings out a sippy cup. He says if you freeze them, it’s good for teething. Carly says, that’s sweet, and Wiley laughs. Lucas asks if she remembers when he asked her what the hardest part of parenting was, and Carly says, knowing what’s the right thing to do.
Jordan thanks Curtis for loving her, and he says, of course (🍷). He always will. Anyone who comes for her, will have to go through him. She says that’s not what she wants. She doesn’t want him to be the price she pays for her mistakes. He says he can protect himself, and she says, do that, and keep an eye on TJ as well. It will be easier for her to do what she has to. He asks, what is it she’s going to do? and she says she’s the Police Commissioner. No one is going to burn Port Charles down on her watch.
Julian tells Ava, she’ll want to steer clear. Brad is spineless, and could break at any point, and spill his guts. Ava says then they’ll have to intervene before Brad has a chance to give him up.
Nelle says she finally had a chance to be with her son, and now she’s trapped because of Brad’s terrible lies. The guard says they can’t have him badgering other prisoners, and takes him out. Brad says, she’s lying, and when he’s gone, Nelle smiles.
Willow tells Chase, she tried to like Brad over and over, but she didn’t; she couldn’t. Part of her knew what he was like. Brad is a lying coward who cares more about himself than Wiley. Wiley could have had his father the whole time, had Michael raise and love him, and now… He’s so young, and his whole world is upside down.Brad did this to him, his so-called father; the man she chose to raise her son. Chase says, she picked Lucas, but she says, no. She trusted her son to Brad, and Brad let him die. She says, oh my God. Brad traded him in like a faulty appliance. She cries, and says, there was no one there who loved him. No one knew him. She sobs, and Chase takes her in his arms.
Lucas brings Wiley out, and Michael asks if Wiley enjoyed his snack. Lucas says, he did; he ate all of it. Michael says, he loves his animal crackers. Lucas tells Wiley, hey, buddy. He knows his Uncle Michael, and knows how much he loves to play games with Wiley and tell him stories. He has a nice surprise. Wiley is going home with him. He gives Michael Wiley’s bag, and says, there’s more snacks, a bedtime book, and diapers. He tells Wiley, I love you buddy, and kisses the top of Wiley’s head. He gives Wiley to Michael, and tries not to cry. He says, take good care of your son, and Bobbie hugs Lucas. Everyone looks sad.
The acting was so good, even though I can’t relate at all, they had me tearing up.
On Monday, Nikolas needs Elizabeth’s help, Ava asks Franco if Nikolas and Elizabeth had an affair, Julian tells Brad that it’s on him, and Carly tells Sonny that Nelle is the mastermind
🍑 Like She’s Ever Going Anywhere…
They’ll have to pry that peach out of her cold, dead hand.
It takes a lot of time to be a genius. You have to sit around so much, doing nothing, really doing nothing. – Gertrude Stein (I might have found my calling!)
Confidence is 10 percent hard work and 90 percent delusion, just thinking foolishly that you will be able to do what you want to do. – Tina Fey
If his grades get any lower, we’ll have to start renting him out as a speedbump. – Charlie (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men
Every now and then I like to do as I’m told, just to confuse people. – Tamora Pierce
The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you. – Bette Midler
I’ll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure. – Mae West
Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door. – Coco Chanel (Love that! Now if I can just learn it…)
There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. – Nelson Mandela
The price of greatness is responsibility. – Winston Churchill
Death, taxes, and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them. – Margaret Mitchell
So, your kids must love the iPad? I asked Mr. [Steve] Jobs, trying to change the subject. The company’s first tablet was just hitting the shelves. They haven’t used it, he told me. We limit how much technology our kids use at home. – Nick Bilton
Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. – Dr. Seuss
👠 Friday Night…
I went to see a revival Mack & Mabel on Broadway. I couldn’t find a version of this from the performance I saw, but close enough. Since no good time goes unpunished, this is an appropriate song for today. See you when the Deadreturn.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Nina throws a folder on Jax’s desk, and says it’s all his fault. She has to choose between Aruba and St. Martin, but she can’t look at the sand and water, or conceptualize the shoot. All she hears is his voice inside her head saying, come to the fun side of the island. He says, maybe it’s her subconscious talking. Nina asks what it’s telling her, and he says, come to the fun side of the island. She asks if that’s still an option.
Valentin looks at the Cassadine crest ring. He says he never had a use for it, and never even bothered to put it on. Now he’s learned it was never his to begin with. He looks up, and says, how did you do it, Helena? How did you pull off such a horrible lie? Helena is suddenly there, and says, Valentin, my son. Surely you’re smart enough to figure out there was no lie. It’s all the truth.
Sam and Alexis have dinner at the MetroCourt. Alexis remarks on how good the food is, and Sam asks if they’re not talking about the elephant in the room; Neil. Alexis says, is he here? and Sam says, he is. Alexis asks if he’s alone, and Sam says, he was, but not anymore. Alexis looks, and sees Neil sitting with Obrecht.
Sasha tells Michael that some Italian chain stores are interested in Deception. It would be great to branch out from the American market, but that’s as far as her expertise goes. Michael says if she steers clear of Brexit, a lot of the market is set up for expansion. The good news is, he has lawyers who can help set it up for her. She says, and the bad news? He wonders if Lucy will be okay with it.
Willow says, she must have expensive taste; the wine is good. He says, the wine guy comes through again, and she says, the wine guy is a legend. He asks if she’s leaving him for the wine guy, and she says, that depends. Are they still going climbing? He says she asks that like they’re climbing Mt. Everest. It’s at the Y, and they’ll be on harnesses with mats underneath them. She says, it’s kind of the same thing, and he says, it’s not, and she’s going to love it. They’ll have a great time. There’s a knock at the door, and Chase opens it to find Nelle there. She says she needs his help, and throws her arms around him. Chase says he thinks she just assaulted him, and Willow asks if it isn’t a violation of her parole. Nelle says they should be thanking her. Brad and Lucas are thinking of leaving town, and taking Wiley with them.
Sasha tells Michael, Lucy does like things just-so, but she’s made enough mistakes that if someone has a contribution, she wants to hear it. She thinks European distribution is making a contribution. Michael thinks she should go for it, and Sasha says it’s interesting how he honed in on the potential difficulties of working with Lucy. Is something going on at ELQ? He says, with his family, there are always difficulties, and she says, talk to her. He says, it’s funny. He never wanted to be CEO. Ned had a crisis, and threw the company in his lap. Sasha says, it must have been overwhelming, and Michael says, he made mistakes, but as he went along, he learned how everything works, and now he’s pretty good at it. But with the Quartermaines, being good is never good enough.
Brad visits Lucas, and asks how he’s doing. Lucas says, better by the minute. He wants to get out, and be with Brad and Wiley. Tell him about outside world. How was Brad’s day? Brad says, eventful, and Lucas asks, what’s up? Brad says, an opportunity fell into his lap out of the blue. Lucas asks if it’s a job, and Brad says it is. It’s in Portland. Lucas says, as in Oregon? and Brad says, that’s the one.
Alexis tells Sam, not that there was any relationship with Neil, but any implication of one has to be put in the rear view. Does he look interested? Sam says, no. He’s barely listening to Obrecht. She thanks Alexis for dinner, and jets.
Valentin tells Helena, he doesn’t remember much of his childhood in Greece. Living on the island, he doesn’t remember calling anyone mother. She says, his mother lived at the main house. He says he remembers getting the tattoo, and Mikkos dropping him off at boarding school. If he was a bastard, why was he provided for? Why would Mikkos draw up a will leaving him everything? She says, it’s simple. Mikkos believed Valentin was his.
Jax says he enjoyed kissing Nina. He could have gone on kissing her all year. She says, that would have been a long kiss, and he says, but she seemed uncertain. Given the world we live in, he didn’t want to seem like he was pressuring her or taking advantage. She asks if her job hinges on sleeping with him, and he says, the exact opposite, but they do work together. Nina says he is her boss, and he says he didn’t want it to look like he was taking advantage of his position. She says, funny he mentions that, and she closes the door. She says she consulted a lawyer, and as long as neither one of them are married, there’s no quid pro quo, and they’re both consenting adults – Jax says, check, check, and double check – it’s completely legal to do whatever they want. He smiles, and says it seems like with all the research she did, she wants to date him. Unless he’s wrong.
Neil tells Obrecht, he was hoping to get some work done, but she says, no one likes to eat alone. He says he’s a fan, and he only consults with his patients at work. She says she needs help now.
Alexis’s assistant calls, and she says she’s going out where she can hear better. She passes Neil’s table, and Neil says hi. He says he saw Alexis having dinner with Sam, but didn’t want to interfere with mother/daughter time. Alexis says she didn’t want to interfere with his… whatever it is.
Brad tells Lucas that Spinelli and Ellie are moving back to Port Charles, freeing up Ellie’s position. Lucas asks if it was offered to Brad, and Brad says he just got done with a marathon phone conversation. They’re willing to sweeten the pot, and make room for Lucas at the same hospital. Lucas says they must really want Brad, but Brad says, it’s not a promotion. The title is the same, although there’s more money. At first glance, it looks amazing. Lucas asks if Brad is excited, and Brad says he knows the timing is crazy. Lucas just woke up and is still recovering. Lucas says, the timing is perfect. Let’s move to Portland.
Nelle asks if she’s interrupting, and Willow asks, what business is it of Nelle’s what Brad and Lucas do with their son? Nelle says Wiley is her dearly departed husband’s flesh and blood; the only connection she has left. Willow says there’s no proof that Shiloh is Wiley’s biological father. Chase tells Nelle, it’s time to go, and if she comes back, he’ll contact her parole officer. She says he wouldn’t dare, but he thinks, given the nature of their past, it qualifies as stalking. Go. He slams the door behind her, and Willow asks if he’s okay. He says he doesn’t know, and she says she doesn’t know what pissed her off more; that Brad and Lucas are leaving, or that Nelle is taking an interest in it.
Helena says Mikkos would amuse himself with the island girls, and stay away for months with his ridiculous mistress, the opera singer. Valentin says, so it was easy for her to conceal her pregnancy, and by the time he came back, it was easy to convince Mikkos that the baby was his. She says Mikkos surprised her, being more interested in Valentin than she thought he would be. Valentin wasn’t like the rest of them. He says, the Cassadines have tendency toward insanity, obsession, and megalomania, and she says, their appetites led Mikkos astray. Valentin was her son. He says, brilliant, and not crazy at all. Helena says, the perfect combination. He says, bravo. She managed to trick Mikkos into raising him as one of his own, branding him with the family crest, and leaving him his fortune. She says she was surprised when Mikkos changed his mind.
Nina asks Jax to look at it from her perspective. He’s probably the most stable guy in the world. He’s trustworthy and straightforward. He’s handsome and stable. He’s like an alien in the dating world. Every guy she’s been attracted to has been messed up. She doesn’t have a great track record with sanity, and all of this is different. Jax says, like trying on a new look, and Nina says, a whole new look. He asks, is the look right for her, or does she want to stick with her side of the island? She asks if his side is really fun. What if she goes to his side, and all she sees are spiders and snakes? He says he thinks she can dot every I and cross every T, and call a lawyer to get the green light, but eventually, it’s on her. She’ll have to take a chance, and he sincerely hopes she does.
Nelle sees Sasha and Michael at Kelly’s, and asks if she can’t have a night on the town without them following her. Sasha asks Michael if they should tell her that they were there first, but he says, don’t bother. He asks Nelle what he can do for her, and she says it’s really what really what she can do for him. It’s his last chance to make an offer for her ELQ shares, and it better be good.
Chase says Nelle is looking for a way to mess with their heads. She’s using Willow to get to him, and Wiley to get to Willow. Willow says, like at the hospital, where Nelle almost tricked her into letting her hold Wiley. Chase asks what happened, and she says Michael was trying to find Brad, and she had Wiley. A woman in a wheelchair showed up. She seemed nice, and told Willow about how she lost her baby, and Willow got the impression it had been recently. She asked to hold Wiley, and it was unsettling, but Willow felt bad for her. How stupid was she? Chase says, if she wants to talk stupid, allow him to introduce himself.
Brad asks if Lucas is serious, and Lucas says he’s had a lot of time to think. Julian is an ongoing problem that will only get worse. The only way to go about it might be to create physical space between them. Brad says, in Portland? and Lucas says, why not?It’s a great city, with a great climate. Brad adds, and great schools for Wiley, but won’t Lucas miss his family? Lucas says, especially his mom, but if it’s between that, and Julian always knocking at the door, she’d agree. Lucas doesn’t want it to sound like a complaint. Everyone was awesome, helping with Wiley while he was in a coma, but he wants to get back to their little family; just the three of them. He thinks he needs that right now. Brad completely agrees, and can’t believe they’re doing this. Sam walks in, and Lucas says he was literally just texting her. She says she was literally just pulling up to pay him a surprise visit. Lucas says, fate, and tells her that he needs a second opinion.
Alexis tells Neil to enjoy his evening, but Neil says, it’s not an evening. It’s not even dinner. Well, it’s his dinner. He blurts out, she’s a patient. Alexis says, if there was anything going on, it’s none of her business. She excuses herself, and goes out in the hallway. Obrecht asks if it’s something she said.
Valentin says, Mikkos was an egomaniac, obsessed with his bloodline. He couldn’t stand the thought of the woman who loved his grandson not being his, so he left his estate to Valentin. Helena couldn’t stand that, so she told him the truth. Valentin wasn’t his son. She must have relished having that conversation. She says she did; revenge was sweet. Valentin says, the most Cassadine of the bunch wasn’t even a Cassadine. Helena says that’s when he wrote the codicil, and Valentin says, but Mikkos died before he could publicly disinherit him, leaving the document in her hands. Helena says he’s doing well. Finish. Valentin says she hid the codicil in her portrait as a test. Nikolas had to set aside his hatred for her long enough to find the missing ingredient. She says the fortune was always meant to go to Spencer; that was the goal. He says, that explains how his daughter came to be. He never fully understood, but it wasn’t about Stavros’s child. It was about Helena having an heir from her line, and Luke Spencer. Helena says, my son. Congratulate her. She’s succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. She laughs, and he throws his glass at her, but she disappears, and it hits the wall. He storms out.
Nina tells Jax, before she takes a chance, she has to know why. He says, why what? and she says, there are less neurotic women out there. Why is he interested in her? Jax says he likes how he feels when he’s with her. They have fun together, and he likes being around her. She says her baggage is intense, but he says he likes a challenge, and it would be a challenge to show her that she’s not her baggage. She says he always knows what to say, when to say it, and how. Can he give her a guarantee? He says he can’t do that. He doesn’t know if they’re a match made in heaven, but they’ll never know if they don’t try. It takes a certain amount of risk. Nina says he’s never had his heart broken, but he says he has. He just chose not to shut down, and learn from his mistakes; acknowledge what went wrong, and embrace the good. He’s a believer in it, but he can’t make her believe. It’s not his leap to take. It’s hers. She kisses him.
Michael says Nelle thinks she’s won already, but the ELQ shares haven’t been probated. He’s in a much better position to weigh things out. He offered her money to go away, but if she doesn’t choose to, no biggie. He’ll sit things out. She says the stock is hers, but he says, there’s a 50% chance it will be found that Oscar was misled by a known criminal, and the bequest will be invalid. It could take up to ten years, but he has all the time in the word. Her, on the other hand… Nelle says he’s just like his mother; smug and superior. He thinks he knows everything, but he doesn’t. He’s about to lose Wiley forever.
Chase tells Willow, Nelle was compelling, and he felt bad. So bad, he let her play him. He went to Florida, and let her seduce him. If he’d just shoved her out of his hotel room and slammed the door, but he didn’t. He blames himself.
Lucas tells Sam, Brad got a great job offer, and Brad says, Lucas too. Lucas says, it means relocating to Portland. Sam says, wow. She thinks it’s awesome, and says, if she had a chance or a prayer of convincing Jason to move away, they’d be gone in a second. Julian is a pain, so they should get out while they can. Lucas says, his thoughts exactly. Sam says they might want to reconsider her as Wiley’s designated guardian. Brad asks, why? and she says she’s on parole. It’s not like she can hop on a plane if something happens to them. She asks Lucas to think about it, and he says he will. She says he’ll miss them, and tells them to promise to come home once in a while, since she can’t visit. Lucas promises, and she hugs him. She says she loves him, and thinks it will be good for all of them. Brad hopes so.
Valentin stomps past Alexis, and she follows. He goes out on the terrace, and babbles about the sun, moon, stars, villains, and fools. He says he has a compulsion, and leans on the railing. Alexis asks what he’s doing.
Jax tells Nina, this is his bedroom. She says she sees; it’s gorgeous. He asks if she wants champagne, and she says, again? He says, some things have to be celebrated, and pops the cork. He pours both of them a glass, and says, cheers. They clink glasses, and drink. He says, don’t worry. He has her. They start to get busy.
Nelle tells Michael, Brad and Lucas are moving to Portland, and Wiley will be on the other side of the country. Michael says, if that’s true, it’s their choice, and he’s happy for them. ELQ has an office in Portland, and he can visit every weekend if he wants. It’s good they’ll be far away from her. She tells him, go to hell, and walks away. Sasha says, that was fun.
Willow tells Chase, maybe she didn’t want to see Nelle that way, but he’s right. She’s exactly like Shiloh. She swears she knows the difference between someone too good to be true, and someone who’s just good. He shows her that every day. He says, funny. He was going to say the exact same thing. They kiss, and he says obviously she’s the real deal. He knew from the second they met. Even if she made him work for it. She says, maybe a little. Was it worth it? He says, every second, and they kiss some more. She pulls back a little, and he asks, what is it?Wiley? and she asks if he thinks Nelle said what she did just to get under her skin, or does he think it’s true, and Brad and Lucas are leaving? Chase says he doesn’t know, but say it was true. How does she feel about it?
Valentin tells Alexis, he’s enjoying the view. Is that a problem? She says, no, and tells him, congratulations. He’s not related to Mikkos and the rest of that dysfunctional bunch. It’s a win. He says, being Helena’s son is a step up? and she says he has none of the Cassadine crazy. Trust her, he got off easy. He tells her, have a good night, and leaves.
Sasha tells Michael, she’s impressed. Nelle was working so hard to get under his skin, but he gave her nothing. She has no idea how hard it hit him about Wiley moving. He says he’d like to think Nelle is lying, but she’s not dumb enough to lie about something so easily proven. Sasha says, Wiley won’t be in Port Charles, but Michael says he thinks it’s for the best. Sasha says he’s going to miss Wiley, and he says he will, and they hug.
Willow tells Chase, she wants to spend as much time as she can with Wiley while they live in the same town. She’ll cherish every minute, even though she knows it might not be the best thing for either of them. Her original intent was to never see Wiley again, but life happened, and she’s suddenly allowed to spend time with him. Chase says, it was a gift, and she says, completely, but every time she does, it’s hard not to see herself as his mother. She’s not, so maybe it’s better. Chase says, a good parent makes decisions based on what their kid needs, not what they need. She’s an incredible parent. They kiss, and Willow’s phone rings. It’s Lucas. She asks if everything is okay with Wiley, and he says Wiley is great. He was wondering if she could come see him in morning. There’s something important he need to fill her in on. She says she’ll be there.
Neil comes out on the terrace, and says he thought Alexis could use this, and puts his jacket on her shoulders. He asks how Valentin is, and she says, he’s having a rough time. How’s Obrecht? He says, gone, mercifully. She says he’s a brave man doing therapy with that one, and he says he’s realizing that. She tells him, goodnight, and gives back his jacket. They smile at each other.
Valentin looks at the broken glass, and throws the ring back in the bod. There’s a knock at his door. It’s Nelle, and he says he’s glad she could make it. She assumes he got her message. She’s ready to sell her ELQ stock. He says he’s ready to negotiate, and invites her in.
Jax and Nina bask in the afterglow. He says he’s really glad she took the leap, and she says, it’s the best leap she’s taken in life. His side of the island is really fun. He says, it gets more fun. He’s going to teach her to surf. She asks if she has to wear a wetsuit, and he says, he prefers she wear as little as possible. He tells her, they’re just getting started, and they kiss.
On Monday, Valentin tells Lulu that they can fight or compromise, Nina asks Jax if he has any regrets, Nelle tells Michael that she’s going to leave him and his family in the dirt, and Brando tells Sonny to tell him what he needs to know or he’ll blow everything sky high.
🍑 I’d Watch It…
I love the cast photo, although I’m sure it was photoshopped to death.
Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more…to give way to the happiness of the person you love. – Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne
Sometimes what we want isn’t what we need. – Gena Showalter
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao Tzu
The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers. – Sydney J. Harris
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. – Jean Anouilh
Music is life. That’s why our hearts have beats. – Unknown
Love is the hardest habit to break and the most difficult to satisfy. – Drew Barrymore
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. – 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
💝 Summing It Up…
Whether you’re loving the one your with, think love is a many splendored thing, can’t help falling in love, or you’re all out of love, I hope the day dedicated to love was everything you wanted, or at least not too hard on you.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
So what do General Hospital and the trial coverage have in common? General Hospital has been on for fifty years, and the same information is being repeated for what feels like fifty years. Seriously, when this is over, these people should get newscaster jobs. They also love to repeat things over and over.
I figured since GH is on hiatus, and this Friday had a gap (I will forever miss you, Z Nation <sniff>), I’d give you the skinny on the latest 90 Day Fiancé couplings. I am obsessed with this franchise. So much so, I can’t even recap it – I want to take in every second. While I love all of the spin-offs (this could give Law and Order and CSI a run for their money, even put together), my favorite is Pillow Talk/Watch Party, where former cast members watch the latest show, and give commentary. The only thing better than watching TV, is watching other people watch TV. The original is back for a new season, and here’s where they are, in case you want to take the plunge.
American dude Mike and Natalie, a beauty from the Ukraine, seemed to be on shaky ground from the start. Mostly because Natalie’s method of communication is to bore holes in Mike with her eyes, and expect him to know what’s going on in her head. And what’s going on in her head is ridiculous. Mike went to the Ukraine to help her get a K-1 visa, and his time ran out while it was still hung up in the process. During a joint interview, where they were asked if they loved one another, Mike was quick to say yes, while Natalie hemmed and hawed, and said love would come as they got to know one another. Since they were already engaged, this didn’t exactly thrill Mike, causing Natalie to react like a petulant child. She literally threw the ring into his suitcase, but then ended up accompanying him to the airport when she didn’t get the desired response – which was that he should put the ring back on her finger, apologize (for what, was unclear), and sweep her into his arms. She ended up accompanying him to the airport, where she continued to bore holes into him until he left. This was definitely left up in the air.
Finnish lovely Jasmin arrived in America to meet with her fiancé Blake, and so far, it’s a match made in disaster. They have absolutely nothing in common (that I can see anyway), and even worse, Jasmin is a teetotaler/health nut who gets miffed every time Blake dares to have an alcoholic beverage. It doesn’t stop there though. Jasmin refused to get to know his friends, and answered all their questions with barely monosyllabic answers. The topper came when Blake’s best friend was having a birthday. They were supposed to go to a more intimate dinner with just the two couples and on to a party, but Jasmin begged Blake for a dinner alone with him first. This wouldn’t have been so bad if she hadn’t then refused to go the party, and decided to visit her sister instead, who happens to live nearby. I don’t think it takes a Sherlock to figure out there might be some ulterior motive here. Even the sister is telling her that she’s behaving badly. I would have packed this one back to Finland by now.
American born Tania and Syngin from South Africa would be a match made in heaven, if it weren’t for the fact that Tania is a self-centered twit. Syngin has it all; he’s good-looking, articulate, funny, and a hard worker. While he’s not allowed to have a job until he has a green card, he’s still proven his diligence by doing anything and everything that needs to be done, from garden work to revamping a shed for their living space on her mother’s property. A shed Tania was supposed to have finished by the time he got there, but surprise! there was nothing done. As a reward for being such a great guy, Tania took off for 30 out of their 90 days to attend a workshop on natural healing in Costa Rica. Since this is her chosen career, and they agreed it was an investment in their future, Syngin was cool with it. He wasn’t so cool with Tania getting sh*tfaced on the weekends with her classmates, and refusing to call him when she got back to where she was staying. It wasn’t even her getting wasted that he minded, although what he didn’t see was her also flirting shamelessly with any halfway decent dude at the bar. All he wanted was to know she was safe after her night out, because, you know, she was getting blackout drunk in a foreign country. Because her world revolves around herself, Tania failed to see how this was anything but being possessive and harshing her buzz. And even though Syngin had toted and fetched for her mother 24/7 while she was gone, when she came back, Tania was pissed that Syngin hadn’t investigated woodworking courses as she’d instructed him to. Never mind he’s in a foreign country where he knows no one, has no real money, and she left him hanging five minutes after he got there. My advice: Run, Syngin. Run.
Angela from America and Michael from Nigeria are back and badder than ever. I never thought they’d last, much less be riding the Fiancé franchise for this long. Sadly, Michael’s K-1 visa was denied, although it’s unclear as to why. This often seems to be the case, where the applicant is kept in the dark over important particulars. When a visa is denied, the couple has two options. They can appeal the denial or get married in the country of the applicant, and reapply. No surprise, Michael’s family is pushing for the marriage in Nigeria, while Angela wants to be surrounded by her family and friends. Michael shed real tears while giving the news to Angela, so she hopped on the next flight to see him. In the meantime, Michael also told his friends, who have given him grief about the relationship and had gotten in an altercation with Angela on her last trip, to piss off. This is when I started thinking maybe he actually cares for her. With the two being at odds as to how to approach the denial, their reunion started off on shaky ground. It didn’t get any better when, at a gathering of his relatives, their age gap (22 years, with Angela being older) became an issue when the subject of children came up. Michael’s uncle suggested that if Angela’s one remaining egg couldn’t produce progeny, he should have kids with someone else. Needless to say, this didn’t go over too big with Angela. It’s just one more argument in the long line that is their relationship.
American Robert and Anny from the Dominican Republic are a perfect match, just not for each other. Robert has a four-year-old son who he co-sleeps with, while Anny is more interested in another type of threesome. While Anny isn’t behaving like any prize, Robert also misrepresented himself, telling her that he’d buy her clothes when she got there and not to bring anything, and saying he’d take care of all her needs. If her needs were a small one-bedroom for two and a half people, and clothing from the second-hand store, then they were met, but her dreams were a little bigger than that. While their trip to a strip club for her birthday, at her suggestion and complete with a lap dance for her, was a little awkward; him taking her to look at an apartment, only to tell her he’d just signed a one-year lease where they already were, was downright mean. He gave her a give-it-time speech, but I’m not so sure she’s willing to wait. And to be fair, it’s not what she signed up for. I’m also not so sure he wants the stepmother of his son to be quite so freewheeling sexually.
Emily from America met Russian Sasha while she was teaching English in his country. They got to know each other so well, she was pregnant by the time they were on the show. Now they’re living in America, preparing to wed, and Emily has had the baby, but hasn’t shed the baby weight. Fitness coach Sasha has taken this as a personal challenge to get his family healthy, which I think is code for getting Emily to drop a few pounds. In a bold move, he started tossing anything he deemed junk into the garbage, while Emily wailed that the veggie chips were fat free. He doesn’t exactly seem too hands-on with being a father either, and did I mention he has two ex-wives who he also got pregnant before marriage? Sounds like a pattern to me. Still, I think this could go either way. We’re down to getting the wedding dress.
American Michael met Brazilian model Juliana while in Croatia. After a rocky start, and a denied visa, Juliana is now in the US. Another couple with a big age gap (19 years, with Michael being older), Michael has an ex-wife and two children. You’d think this would be a hurdle, but you’d be wrong. His children are a delight, wise beyond their years, and his ex has become Juliana’s biggest ally, even going wedding dress shopping with her. Juliana has also been married before, but it was more of an arranged situation, where she was mistreated, and she split. There was a shaky moment, where Michael suggested a prenup (he has a few bucks), but seriously failed in explaining it to Juliana, who freaked out because he’d dropped out of her life once before when she was still in Brazil. Wisely, he scrapped this idea, and we’re at the wedding. Since I read they’re in the process of adopting her niece and nephew, hopefully, this one lasts.
The one that already didn’t last was Anna from America and Mursel from Turkey. I would have bet the farm on this one at the beginning too. Drawn together online with a shared love of beekeeping, neither one knew the other’s language when he arrived to begin the 90 days. Her two sons weren’t thrilled, mostly the older one, but how could two beekeepers not make it? They were so cute together in their bee suits. Anna had picked out her dress, when she decided Mursel keeping her children a secret from his family was a no for her. She insisted he tell them, and the reaction was not good. During FaceTime with his mother, Mursel got honest, and his mother told him to come home, saying that Anna was no good. As if this wasn’t bad enough, he made it sound like he’d just found out, when he knew all along. When his mother called Anna a deceptive liar, he made no move to correct her. No matter how much Anna cried and begged, Mursel packed his bags, and went home to mommy and daddy. The worst part was, as he was headed to the plane, he turned around and came back to Anna. Both Anna and the viewers thought he’d changed his mind, but he had only returned for another tearful goodbye. I’m all for respecting one’s family, but he’s 35.
I’m using the fact that she was on GH to justify including this, but I swear, every time I see Donna Mills, I’m startled. She’s nearly 80, and doesn’t look much different than she did when she was on Knots Landing. Either she has one helluva plastic surgeon or miracle genes.
We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. – C. JoyBell C.
The individual who says it is not possible should move out of the way of those doing it. – Tricia Cunningham
Hey, fellas – stop manspreading. – Awkwafina, the new voice of an NYC subway train. And the voice of reason.
Always forgive, but never forget, else you will be a prisoner of your own hatred, and doomed to repeat your mistakes forever. – Wil Zeus
Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have. – Doris Mortman
If you have a boy, you only have to worry about one penis. If you have a girl, you have to worry about them all. – Herb (Ryan Stiles), Two and a Half Men
I am not good at noticing when I’m happy, except in retrospect. – Tana French
If you ask me I don’t think there are any such things as curses. I think there is only life. That’s enough. – Junot Diaz
Luck affects everything. Let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it there will be a fish. – Ovid
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
We get another rare glimpse of the outside of the hospital. Elizabeth is straightening up an examining room, and stops to look at her phone. She frowns, and makes a call. She leaves a message for Laura, saying, she noticed Laura has called, but she’s not leaving messages. She hopes everything is okay, and asks Laura to give her a call. She hears someone say her name, and she says she’ll be right with them. She turns around to see Nikolas.
Jason goes to Jordan’s office. She asks if a truck from Corinthos Coffee is missing. They found one abandoned and torched. Does he happen to know if they made themselves an enemy?
Lucy shows Maxie a portfolio, and says, it’s just a sample to get the conversation started. She thinks Deception is going to be absolutely fabulous once it’s up and running. Advertisers are going to be lining up beside them. Maxie says, it’s impressive, but that’s just her opinion. Lucy has to run it by Nina. Nina says, run what by her? and Maxie says, Deception’s pitch to be a Crimson’s partner. Lucy tells Nina, picture it; Crimson and Deception, the perfect marriage. Not that anyone needs marriage to be perfect. They’re strong, independent women, and perfect unto themselves. Nina says she’d like to see a proposal. They go to Nina’s desk, and Lucy hands her a mock-up of a Crimson cover featuring Sasha.
Sasha finds Michael in the empty ELQ boardroom, and asks if she’s interrupting. He says she is, and thanks her. She said he mentioned he’d be there, and he says the meeting finished early. He was looking over resumés for a part-time nanny for Wiley. In between work, and going to Turning Woods to see Lucas, Brad is drowning. Wiley was fussy at daycare, and when Brad didn’t answer, they had to call him. A nanny is the obvious solution, but none of the candidates seem right. She says, nobody is good enough for Wiley? She wonders why.
Brad asks who took his lab results; he needs them back now. Willow comes by, and asks if this is what he’s looking for, handing him some paperwork. He asks where she found them, and she says, where he left them. In the breakroom near the coffee maker. She tells him, Lucas being at Turning Woods, and returning to work is a lot for anyone, and he has Wiley on top of it. Brad says he can handle it. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks.
At Charlie’s, Sonny says Carly saw Julian and Brad at the pier. He knows what they talked about after Carly walked away. Julian asks what they were allegedly talking about, and Sonny says, him, his wife, his son, and Wiley.
Elizabeth says Nikolas hasn’t changed, and he says she’s as beautiful as ever. She says he’s supposed to be dead, and he says, it was a very close call. She says, it’s been three years; where has he been? Does his mom know? Laura has been calling, probably trying to warn and prepare her. However she wants to look at it, he’s back. It’s not a dream. She touches him, and says, it’s him. She promises not to faint, but Nikolas says he might. They hug.
Jordan tells Jason, the truck was found by the side of the road. There was no cargo or driver; just the burnt frame. Were they aware the truck was missing? Jason says they knew the shipment never arrived, and she asks if they were concerned. He says they were, and thanks her for locating it. She asks if he has any idea where the driver could be, and he says the employees were canvased, and everyone is safe and accounted for. She asks him to have a seat, and says what if she requested the manifest and interviewed the driver? He says he doesn’t know how much the driver could tell her. She says, so the driver pulled over to stretch or get some fresh air, an unknown party stole the truck and drove off, and they never saw anything?
Nina looks at the mock-up cover, and says she thought Sasha turned down Lucy’s offer to model. Lucy says she has an extreme knack for persuasion. She’s prepared to offer Nina 5% of the equity, priority placement, and integration. Like Maxie said,it’s a win-win. Maxie says it’s a high end brand, but Nina says, no. Lucy says they’re already a high placement brand, and it’s a golden opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Nina thanks her, and says she’ll definitely consider it, as long as Lucy finds another model to represent the brand. Lucy says, that’s not an option. Sasha isn’t just a brand ambassador; she’s an equity partner.
Sasha wonders if Michael is looking for a degree in psychology and nutrition, as well as training in CPR, mountain climbing, and gourmet cooking skills. He says he forgot to add that. He asks if he’s being too protective and involved, and she says, maybe, but in the sweetest, sexiest way. He says he knows what he’d like to do. Pull back from ELQ, let Ned pick up the slack, and block extra time to spend with Wiley. Sasha asks, what’s stopping him?
Sonny ask if Julian hasn’t learned by now to stay away from his family. Does he have to keep reminding Julian? Julian says Wiley is his family as well. He comes up in conversation. Sonny says Julian warned Brad to be careful around Carly so he wouldn’t get wind of something about Michael, because Sonny protects his son. He tells Julian, if he’s got something brewing, think twice. He knows Sonny always protects what’s his. Julian says he hears Sonny, and when it comes to his family, he feels the same way.
Jason says Jordan will have to call Diane for the manifest. Jordan says Diane will ask for a warrant and probable cause. It’s sketchy, but without witnesses, all they have is a missing truck that was found. It’s already annoying enough. She asks if it’s possible the driver went rogue, and someone else got the delivery. Jason says all the employees are vetted, and have years of experience. Jordan wonders if it’s a calling card from Sonny’s rival. If there’s a turf war brewing, she needs to know.
Lucy tells Nina, it’s business, not personal. Deception would be good for Crimson, and vicey versey. Nina wishes her luck. She’s sure Lucy will find another publication to promote Deception, but she passes. She’s sorry, and wishes Lucy the best of luck. Lucy thanks her for her time, and leaves. Maxie sits down, and says she wishes Nina would reconsider. Nina asks why she should invite Sasha back into her life, and Maxie says, Lucy’s partnership proposal has merit. They can find a work-around. She’ll do everything, and Nina can just sit back and rake in the revenue. How does that sound? Listening outside the door, Lucy smiles.
Sasha tells Michael, it’s possible to do both, especially when you have enough money. He’s been a daily presence in Wiley’s life, and he can add a few extra hours. Michael says he can set it up coordinating with Brad’s schedule. When Brad goes to work, he can spend the mornings with Wiley, and drop him off at the hospital daycare or at his grandmother’s with the nanny. Later, he can pick Wiley up, and get him to Brad for dinner. Sasha says he’s already got a strategy, and he says, thanks to her. It will cut into his free time with her, but she says, it’s a worthy cause, and she happens to like Wiley. They kiss. Sasha’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Lucy. He tells her, the first rule of business is, always answer your partner’s call. Lucy says, she’ll make it quick. Nina said no. Sasha says she tried to warn her, but Lucy thinks maybe there’s a little crack. She needs to kick the door open. She tells Sasha, get there pronto, and Sasha says she’ll be right there. Michael asks where she’s going, and Sasha says, to kick open some doors.
Willow brings Brad some coffee, saying she thought he could use it. He says, yeah. His nerves are just jangled. Everyone is doubting him all of a sudden, and Lucas’s whole family is against him. Willow says, that can’t be true, and he says Bobbie has called fifty times, Carly thinks he’s overwhelmed, and Julian agrees. Michael wants to hire a nanny. She says that’s not a bad idea.
Julian says he has no beef with Michael, Carly or Sonny. He thought they turned a corner the night Sonny offered to let him visit Wiley. He’d like to keep that going. Sonny ask why he warned Brad about Carly, and Julian ask if Sonny has seen Brad lately. He’s in completely over his head, raising Wiley alone, and Julian doesn’t want people to see him fall apart. He might be nervous, but Julian thinks Brad will be fine. He was just helping. Sonny says maybe Julian was helping himself. Lucas wants nothing to do with him, and with Lucas out of the picture, Julian has a chance to swoop in and get close to his son. This actually sounds stupid, since Julian just brought up Sonny offering to let him see Wiley.
Julian says he and Lucas have had their differences, but it doesn’t matter now. All he cares about is his son waking up. Until he does, Julian has to do right by Wiley. Sonny has his family, Carly is busy, and Michael has his girlfriend and work, but Julian has free time to devote to his grandson. Sonny asks how he thinks Lucas will feel if he wakes up and finds out that Julian took advantage of his accident. Julian says Sonny doesn’t speak for his son, but Sonny says he’s speaking for himself. Julian asks how Sonny knows about the conversation anyway. Carly left, and he and Brad stayed there. He’s curious who Sonny’s associate was following; him or Sonny’s wife? Sonny suggests Julian take the same advice he gave Brad; steer clear of his wife, and anything Corinthos related. He leaves.
Michael tells Brad, Wiley has a strong support system. The Quartermaines and Corinthoses; two houses with nurseries and full-time nannies, with room in both. When Brad is working, Michael can put him down at night. Willow asks if Michael will really be able to pull back at ELQ, and Michael says he has someone to step up. He wants to do this, and gives Brad his word that he can carve out the time. Brad says, absolutely not.
Maxie tells Nina to take the personal part out of it. It’s possible to have a business relationship with someone you dislike. Lucy pops back in, and says, Maxie is right. Nina says she thought Lucy left. Lucy says, think classic. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger; Simon and Garfunkel; Abbot and Costello. Maxie says, who? and Nina and Lucy both say, ‘s on first. Nina says it’s better if she doesn’t force a relationship. It’s her prerogative. She made a mistake, and she’s not doing it again. She’s going to focus on moving forward. Sasha walks in, and says what Nina calls moving forward, she calls just plain stupid.
Elizabeth asks where Nikolas has been, and he says, Europe mostly. He was rescued by a yacht crew sailing past the island. He pursued some leads, and started to reclaim what’s his. Last night, he was able to do it. Nina walked out on Valentin; the wedding didn’t happen. Elizabeth says Nina gave her the impression that she was going to stick by Valentin no matter what. He says, apparently, she reached a breaking point, but there was still a wedding – his.
Jordan says she thought she and Jason had come to a place where they understood each other. Maybe he’s reconsidered in the light of Sam’s conviction, but it was a Federal prosecution, and removed from her jurisdiction. Jason says when they’re done with the truck, Sonny will have a towing company haul it away. She’s sure the taxpayers will be happy, and says, there’s one more thing. The truck was abandoned in a no parking zone. She hands him a ticket, as Curtis walks in. Curtis asks if everything is okay, and Jordan says, Jason was just leaving. When Jason is gone, Curtis asks what that was about. She says, it was about her wasting her breath. Jason could give a master class in stonewalling. He’s every defense attorney’s dream come true. He’s never nervous, and never discloses anything. And he’s had plenty of practice since he’s been arrested so many times. She says, now that she’s vented, why is he there? He asks if it’s not a good time, but she says, it’s fine. He says he did a follow-up on her friend Bob’s death. He knows how busy she is, and he has a connection in DC. He wanted to learn a little more, and get her closure. Jordan knows he meant well, but hopes he didn’t intrude on the family’s grief. He says he was careful not to, and she asks what he found. Cancer? A heart attack? He says, no. A drug overdose.
Elizabeth says, Ava? and Nikolas says he sees her Ava, and raises her a Franco. She says, Franco has completely changed. She can’t say the same for Ava. He says he can’t either, but each of them brings something the other can’t live without. Elizabeth is pretty sure it’s not love. How did he get with Ava? He says, that’s the hard part. He’s been in Port Charles since September. She says, four months, and he never thought to contact anyone who loves him?
Sasha says she admires Nina’s business savvy; her creativity, and ability to think outside the box and take risks. She saw how stubborn Nina can be; determined and pragmatic to a fault. Nina says she’s wasting her time, but Sasha says she’s not finished. The partnership has nothing to do with their history; it’s what’s best for their businesses. Deception’s target audience is the youth and wellness market, a major opportunity that Crimson can be a part of. If Nina is the savvy businesswomen Sasha thinks she is, she’ll jump at it. If she doesn’t, she can watch from the sidelines while they become a major success without her.
Brad says he can’t let Michael compromise being CEO of ELQ to babysit. Michael says he’s choosing to give up his time to help Lucas. Brad says Lucas wouldn’t want him to do it. He’s proud of Michael, and admires his position on the ELQ and hospital boards. Michael says, Lucas would want Wiley to have all the support he needs. No one can do it all, and Brad shouldn’t try to be a superhero. Take the help. Brad says he didn’t think about it until now, but he knows the perfect person take care of Wiley. Wiley already knows them, and there should be no problem with them stepping in. Willow always said she’d do anything to help. Now he’s asking for help with his son. Julian stands behind Brad, listening.
Jordan says, an OD? Did she hear wrong? Curtis knows it’s a shock, but Bob died from an OD. She asks if something went wrong. He got the wrong prescription, or a bad interaction with medications? Curtis says, it was opioids; a straight-up OD. She says, Bob wasn’t even much of a drinker. She never saw him have more than a beer, and never saw him using. Curtis knows it’s hard to hear, but as someone who has more experience than most, he can tell her, once you become an addict, you become an expert in hiding it.
Sonny asks Jason, what’s the damage? Jason says they lost a truck and a shipment of beans. Diane is handling the driver’s severance pay, and his relocation to Tennessee. Sonny asks if the driver was injured, and Jason says, just shook up. He followed company policy, and took off. Sonny says to tell Diane to be generous with the severance pay. He asks if the truck was impounded, and Jason says, what’s left of it. They also got a parking ticket, since it was left in a no parking zone. Sonny laughs, and says, make sure it gets paid. He wants the Commissioner to see they’re good citizens. Jason wonders who would target a coffee truck, and Sonny says, someone who has no idea how he does business.
Sonny says, maybe someone thinks they’re using the coffee warehouse as a front. They didn’t do their research. Jason suggests maybe they tried to send a message. Port Charles is a valuable asset. It’s close to the border, and near international waters. Sonny limits what moves, and some people want him to share. Sonny says, sharing is overrated.
Curtis tells Jordan, the cause of death was an OD; it was on the police report. She says forensics would look at the chain of evidence, tracing where it came from, and who sold it. He says he called his friend on the force in DC and got a copy of the report. There’s not a lot there. On the outside, it looks squeaky clean, all legit. Everyone who knew him had the same reaction that she did; he wasn’t that type of guy, and basic disbelief. Jordan asks if she can talk to his friend, but he says the friend has already stuck his neck out. He doesn’t want to put them on the spot, or lose them as a contact. She appreciates that, and says, it’s such a shock. Curtis asks if there’s anything else he can do, and she says, maybe later. He says, sure, and leaves, but Jordan is obviously distressed.
Lucy thanks Nina again for her time. Maxie looks at package Lucy brought, and says, it’s generic. Lucy needs to underline the brand, to prepare for when she’s ready to reveal what they are. Her proposal is too conservative. Crimson needs at least 15%; Maxie will adjust it accordingly. Lucy is going to have to step up her opening foray if she wants involvement increased. Nina tells Lucy, leave her proposal, and she’ll consider it.
Brad says, it’s a perfect solution. He and Willow both work at the hospital, and she’s great with Wiley. Michael says she has a full schedule at the hospital, and doesn’t have the luxury of delegating. Butting into the conversation, Julian agrees it’s unfair, and Brad shouldn’t put Willow in an awkward position. He knows Brad is under stress. Brad says, don’t remind him. Willow agreed that she wanted to help Wiley. Willow says maybe she could adjust her schedule, but Julian thinks it’s asking too much. End of discussion. Oh, okay. Everyone will listen to the guy who just arrived to the party, who no one wanted there in the first place. Brad says Lucas wanted Willow to be a part of Wiley’s life, and he thought Willow wanted to spend more time with Wiley. Michael says they have plenty of options, and not to put Willow in an uncomfortable position. Brad says, who better to give Wiley the care he needs until they get Lucas back, which he prays is soon. Willow says, of course (🍷). How could she say no? Ugh. Julian needs to ditch that turtleneck look he’s been sporting lately.
Elizabeth asks if Nikolas wasn’t tempted to tell anyone he was alive. Nikolas says he can’t begin to tell her how hard it was. His mom came by Jax’s place while he was there. Everything inside him wanted to embrace her, but he couldn’t. He had to bide his time, and put his plan in place, or it would have undone everything. Elizabeth gets it intellectually, but emotionally, he has so many people who love him who were devastated. Hayden has a little girl, Violet; she’s the cutest. Hayden left Violet in Port Charles while she’s away, but wait until she finds out he’s back. Valentin is no longer a threat, so Hayden can come back be and be with her. He promises to do all he can to bring Hayden home. Elizabeth says, if anyone can do it, he can. She doesn’t know whether to slap or hug him, and he says he’ll take the hug. He’s already had smacks. They hug.
Maxie tells Lucy and Sasha they’ll be in touch. She’ll go over the proposal in depth. Lucy says, fingers crossed, even though she doesn’t need it. She has a kick-ass partner who was spectacular. And she can’t believe Maxie was so convincing without making her boss look bad. She hopes Nina knows what she has in Maxie. Come to think of it, if Maxie ever wants to talk about some work, here’s her number. Lucy gives Maxie her card, and Maxie says she already has it. Lucy says that’s Lucy as a realtor; this is Lucy as a potential partner. Think about it. They leave, and Maxie looks at the card. I think Deception should launch their own magazine.
Nina looks at the mock-up cover. She opens a jewelry box containing the half-heart pendant, and takes it out.
Brad thanks Willow, and says he’s so grateful. Julian grabs Brad’s arm, says, excuse them, and steers Brad away. He asks if Brad has lost his damn mind. Sonny already knows something’s up.
Michael asks if Willow is sure she’s okay with this. Brad isn’t sensitive on a good day. She knows it’s challenging, and will have to protect her heart, but Brad is in a jam and she can help out. Michael says, so can he, but she says, for whatever reason, Brad isn’t comfortable with him. He’s intimidated by Michael. Michael is the kind of person everyone loves, and Brad probably feels Michael will overshadow him. He says, Wiley is more important than Brad’s ego, and she says she’ll do her best not to intimidate anyone. He’s not sure about that. He thinks Wiley likes her more than him, and he’s jealous. She says she can’t help it if Wiley has great taste. Dreams come true. She’s going to spend time with Wiley, and savor every moment. And when it’s over, she won’t look back.
Brad tells Julian, if he had walked in five minutes later, Michael would have been taking care of Wiley, and when he was busy running ELQ, the Quartermaines and Sonny would come around. Julian is second guessing him, and he knows what he’s doing. Julian says, he’s right, and Julian is going to see that he gets all the help he needs.
Jordan looks at her computer, and makes a call. She says she needs them to do her a favor. Drop whatever they’re doing, and get to Port Charles as soon as possible.
Jason says, if they get an overture, how does Sonny want to respond? Sonny says, same deal. They can move through Port Charles; no drugs, no guns, and they have to pay double for torching his coffee truck. It was rude. (I literally LOL.) Jason says, what if there’s no offer? Doesn’t Sonny want to figure out who it is? Sonny says if so, they made a mistake, and he’ll make them regret it.
On Monday, Brook has a big announcement, Tracy asks Michael what’s more important than ELQ, Spinelli asks if Maxie is leaving Crimson, and Franco says he owes Jason his life.
🍑 Meanwhile, In Hotlanta…
There’s always someone who almost spoils the surprise.
I saw the Watch What Happens Live when Danielle quit, but she chose her words carefully. She was very specific saying she’d never be on The Real Housewives of New Jersey again. My guess is, she’s moving.
While I throw in an opinion here and there, it’s rare for me to write something based solely on my view of a show, but I feel strongly about this one.
I’m not sure what it is. Whether it’s because the Housewives are thirsty for screen time, or they’re just getting meaner, but I was disturbed by Wednesday night’s Real Housewives of Dallas Reunion: Part Two. My being troubled by the Real Housewives in general is nothing new. Beverly Hills certainly left a bad taste in my mouth last season, and the screeching in the OC is working my last nerve. Regardless of the branch of the franchise, what bothers me most is when several, or all, of the Wives gang up against one. Wednesday night’s Reunion, bothered me so much, I had a nightmare that I’m sure it was the source of.
I rarely have nightmares, and when I do, they’re not the conventional kind. This isn’t to say I don’t dream about zombies taking over, or other dangerous situations, but those are more like full-color action films, with Marc Singer often fighting alongside me. My real nightmares are more Dean Koontz than Stephen King, and involve genuine fears, and I usually wake up crying. This time, I roamed a large place that was a mix of a hospital and library. I was in emotional anguish, and no one would even look in my direction. I walked through crowds of people, and tried talking to some, but they were dismissive. On a humorous note, Perry Shen (Brad, General Hospital) and Jane Lynch were there. I often cast random actors in my dreams. Anyway, I woke up crying, and I knew Dallas was at the root of it.
In what could have ended with a teachable moment, the whole show was nothing but an attack on LeeAnne from start to finish. Including her wedding vows. WTF? In talking about being human, Kameron was the only one who acted like a human. I don’t think any of them, including Kary, cared nearly as much about the racism issue, as they did about pummeling LeeAnne and feeling self-righteous. Racism is a huge hot button issue, and there is no one, except a racist, who would feel it was okay. They had no concern that most of the world wouldn’t have their back in rising up against LeeAnne. It was a safe bet, and kept reminding me of what Bernadette (Terrence Stamp) said in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: You know, my girlfriend used to be a boyfriend. It’s always good for a supper invite. It was less about the issue than it was about them using it for something, with the exception of Kameron. It was like teaching a kid not to hit by hitting them. Although I don’t think they were interested in teaching anybody anything. It was an opportunity to be mean, and they used the issue. It didn’t even begin there.
From the beginning, they were gunning for LeeAnne, as well as putting a halo on Kary. They harped on LeeAnne’s wedding – everything from the food, which looked adequate to me, to the vows she had written herself at the last minute. Even her waiting so long to write them was suspect. Rich must be a saint, not because he puts up with LeeAnne, but he also puts up with this sh*t. Yes, the woman has some deep-seated problems, which will probably take a lifetime to overcome, but this was an important day – her first marriage, at age 50, no less – why drag it all over the place? It just went on and on and on. And to her credit, LeeAnne took it. Ever the diplomat, Kameron pointed out that it was LeeAnne’s day, so wtf? LeeAnne was right in saying, that no matter what she said, it was never going to be good enough for Kary. This is a bunch of mean girls, except for Kameron, who gets called out for being more concerned with what’s right, rather than who’s right. As much as we’d like them to be, things aren’t always black and white, and there’s the human factor.
I have a desire to take care of tiny things, protect the underdog, and things that are alone or small in the world. LeeAnne looked that way Wednesday night. She’s done stupid things from the jump, and lashed out because she hurts, but they finally found something they could grab onto that was acceptable and other people would care about. Except there is a difference between evil and stupid. Between sincerely hating a race, and saying dumb sh*t. Instead of helping LeeAnne be a better person, Brandi threw down a folding chair, where she thought LeeAnne should sit facing her jury. After that, the women became the bullies. A questionable video of Brandi’s surfaced recently, which is also insensitive, but not racist, yet she thinks LeeAnne is alone in being stupid.
There’s proof positive it doesn’t have to be like this. Three of my favorites in the Bravoverse are Below Deck, Southern Charm, and Shahs of Sunset. Oh, they fight, and they can land low blows, and do the occasional hair pulling, but there’s a difference. Somehow, they’re more like family. When Golnessa lashes out, we know it’s because she’s in pain, and so does her crew. While they might even freeze her out for a moment, at the end of the day, they’re there to support and love her. There might often be an undercurrent of snark on Deck, and Kate does get away with more than the others, but she’s put in her time. Captain Lee is like a really good parent, who knows how to use discipline, but fiercely protects and loves his children. He’s also indulgent with his favorite daughter. Shep is an elitist a-hole much of the time, yet if there was an emergency, he’d be the first one there. To watch Kathryn grow from a rebellious child to a responsible mother has been nothing less than amazing, and to have Patricia admit she was wrong about Kathryn – albeit because she listened to Thomas – was a true miracle. Maybe a Wife would throw a bag of old Vuittons in your direction, but they’ll tell everyone about how self-centered you were, yapping on about your house burning down, or your horrifying childhood.
With the first episode of the OC, I said it was the future of television. There had been reality TV before, starting with An American Family, a series filmed for PBS. It was rerun one year in the 90s, and I caught it. It was fascinating. Just cameras following a family. And The Real World started off strong. Giving us people with real jobs and interests, and Pedro Zamora who eventually passed away from AIDS. Somewhere along the line, it degenerated into mostly a lot of drunken hot tub sex, and I drifted away. I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but it wasn’t what I signed up for. My guess is that alcohol played a big part. As is my guess about a lot the Wives problems. Just the other day, my husband was just walking past when one of them (ha-ha – I can’t remember which one) was on, and he said, they drink too much. And he doesn’t even pay attention. He could probably pick NeNe or Teresa out of a line-up – LVP for sure – but he doesn’t watch them. Alcohol isn’t the only problem, but it exacerbates whatever else is going on. But the Wives were different, and paved the way for all the others. Until Andy Cohen became King of the World. Or at least reality TV.
There are kinder, gentler shows on other networks, TLC being a mainstay. Born This Way was one of the sweetest shows I’ve ever seen, watching young people with Downs Syndrome begin to navigate the world on their own. More recently, Welcome to Plathville introduced us to the Plath family, who live off the grid, but some of the kids were looking to branch out. In a variety of series about the Amish, Mary Schmucker became my favorite reality star of all time. A woman we would all love to be our grandma, baking cookies and dispensing wisdom, but also down for kicking back and doing shots at an NYC bar. That’s my kind of Amish.
It was enjoyable to watch the Wives at first. There was some table-flipping and leg-tossing, but it seemed like all harmless fun. Sometimes it still is, but more and more, it’s screeching and finger-pointing, and not owning up to their own sh*t before casting stones. Mob mentality has taken over. This isn’t to say there aren’t exceptions, like Kameron and Camille, but they’re accused of being wishy-washy because, even if they didn’t like a behavior, they still cared about the person. NYC as a whole seems to be fair, except for Ramona, who’s only out for herself, but I could be biased. Back to LeeAnne.
What she said was wrong, but it really wasn’t any worse than things she’d said in previous seasons. The others just finally found something they could publicly call her out on, and knew they’d be backed by the world. I doubt they cared much about racism before LeeAnne called Kary a chirpy Mexican (I’d actually thought chirpy was a really odd choice of word, and figured she wasn’t thinking). And Kary laughed about it with the others at the time. Again, Kameron came out ahead here. Not on that particular issue, but she made it her business to research what LeeAnne had said about sex workers in Thailand. In other words, she cared about those things called facts.
Fact: LeeAnne definitely made excuses for not reaching out to Kary, some of which were lies, or at best finagling of the truth. Like when she said they weren’t supposed to talk to each other before the Reunion. That was true, but there were several months prior to that when they could have talked. I do think she was telling the truth when she said things like that were hard for her, especially since she believed she’d be met with hatred. Also possibly true. Kary was receptive to zero of what LeeAnne had to say, no matter what the topic was.
Fact: LeeAnne said she latched on to a word Kary herself had been using a lot, and had she used a different word repeatedly, LeeAnne would have used that. I believe this is true. Even I was getting tired of Kary saying it. I was like, all right already, I get it. You’re from Mexico and it’s cool. We all have things we’re proud of, and probably talk too much about. LeeAnne made a piss poor choice, but I don’t think it was with a racist attitude. It was with an I’m-sick-of-Kary attitude. Whether LeeAnne thought it would air or not, who knows? But it’s hard to believe anyone would think that, considering what has been aired in other seasons, and how easily information gets out today. I also find it difficult to believe the others would have been intimidated by this thought.
Fact: LeeAnne was truly sorry. We’ve yet to see if she backs up her words with actions – i.e. stops saying stupid sh*t when she’s angry – but she was sorry. That these women continued to berate her while she sat there crying and taking it, was depressing. If the goal is to change the world, and bring light to the darkness, how does drumming someone into the ground accomplish that goal? Someone who is suicidal, no less. It’s hard for someone to change their ways when you keep kicking them.
Unfortunately, this seems to be the way of the world now. It’s less about teaching what’s right than being right.
🌋 Quotes of the Week
I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light. – Helen Keller
Life is an awful, ugly place to not have a best friend. – Sarah Dessen
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. – Oprah Winfrey
I have the attention span of a meerkat. – guy on Blind Date
How do you fold an egg? It’s impossible. It’s witchcraft. – Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini), King of Queens
Mantras are a powerful tool that can help us be aware of our own power, goals, strengths, and resilience. – Dr. Jennifer Newman (I am rich. I am rich…)
When things break, it’s not the actual breaking that prevents them from getting back together again. It’s because a little piece gets lost. – John Green (I’m sure he was referring to people as well.)
Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes. – Carl Sandburg
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands. – Anne Frank
I take craps bigger than him. – Jerry (Scott Bakula), Two and a Half Men
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller
🎉 A Happy 13th Birthday…
To dogs I still call the babies.
👐 Wait No More…
Your weekend is here. See you at the hospital or on deck.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Monica reads to the kids in the hospital, finishing The Night Before Christmas. Finn tells Anna that he doesn’t want to get stuck on the road, but Anna says, the party isn’t over. She’d like to say hello to some of their friends, and spend time with Maxie and Peter. Violet is also enjoying herself. Violet runs up and says she’s loving this party, and asks if she can play with her friends. Finn tells her to stay where he can see her. Chase comes by, and tells Finn, it’s once a year. Can’t he get into the spirit?
Tracy (yay!) says they’ve made their contribution, and Monica has read the story. It’s time to eat turkey and open presents. Monica says it’s about Edward and Lila’s legacy. Maxie tells Peter that James loved the story, but he’s getting tired, and they still have to go to grandma and grandpa’s.
Anna tells Finn that Violet is happy playing with the children, and Felicia’s party is still going on. Finn thinks the party will be a distraction. He’s all for good will and cheer, but not for shrugging off telling kids the lie about a chubby stranger coming down the chimney to give them presents. Anna hopes he didn’t tell that to Violet, and suddenly Violet is there. Anna tells her that Finn is in poor spirits, since he got coal in his stocking last year because he was naughty. She takes Violet with her, and Robert says Finn is a real Scrooge, hooking a candy cane on Finn’s pocket and walking on.
Curtis announces that the storm has taken a turn for the worse. The roads are closed, except for emergency vehicles. Tracy wonders if they can hijack a snowplow. Monica says there are plenty of activities, and treats, and tells the kids to have fun. She gathers them for another story. Anna tells Finn that she hopes Violet didn’t hear what he said. She took the precaution of reinforcing that Santa only comes to children who believe in him and love him, but Finn has to open his heart to the Christmas season.
Michael tells Monica that he found a classic. Monica takes the book from him, and says, A Christmas Carol. Some of it is a little scary. Are the kids okay with that? They all yell, yeah, and she begins to read. Marley was dead to begin with. There was no doubt whatsoever about that.
A clock strikes midnight. Finn as Scrooge sits up.
Monica reads, Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Anna asks Finn if it sounds familiar, and he says, subtle. He gets it. He’s not brimming with Christmas cheer. Tracy says he’s a man after her own heart. He says that’s why she’s his favorite patient, and they hug. He asks what brings her back to town? and she asks if it can’t just be family. Anna says, see? She’s not all bad, but Tracy says, the true meaning of Christmas is long gone. It’s turned into a retail bonanza. Anna tells them that they deserve each other. Finn says they could do worse. Tracy asks, which one is his? and he points out Violet. She says Violet is beautiful, like her mother, and Finn says, she is.
Monica continues to read how Scrooge liked to edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call “nuts” to Scrooge. liked to edge his way along the path of life. Once upon a time—of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve—old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house…
Scrooge hands Bob Cratchit (Franco) some paperwork. Scrooge’s nephew Fred (Peter) comes in, and tells Scrooge, merry Christmas. Scrooge says, humbug, and Fred says he doesn’t mean that. Scrooge says, he does. What reason does Fred have to be merry? Fred asks him to dine with them tomorrow, and Scrooge says, ugh. Fred asks, why? and Scrooge asks why he got married. Fred says he fell in love. Scrooge makes fun of him, and says, good day. Fred is sorry Scrooge is so resolute, but he’s going to keep his Christmas cheer to the last. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. He tells Cratchit, Merry Christmas, and Cratchit returns the sentiment. Fred leaves, and Scrooge tells Cratchit, another sound from him, and he’ll celebrate by losing his situation.
A man asking for a charitable contribution (Curtis) comes by the office. He tells Scrooge, At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts. Scrooge asks if there are no prisons, and if the work houses are still in order. The man says they are; he wishes he could say they were not. Scrooge is happy to hear it. He supports those establishments, and they cost more than enough. The man says, many can’t go there, and many would rather die. Scrooge says, if they would rather die, than they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population. He bids the man good day. The clock strikes, and Scrooge says the man wasted what was left of the workday. It’s time to close. He supposes Cratchit is hoping for tomorrow off. Cratchit says, it is customary, and Scrooge says he supposes Cratchit will want the whole day, but be here all the earlier the following morning. Cratchit thanks him, and tells him, merry Christmas.
Scrooge heads home. A couple of children ask for a penny, but he tells them, to the poorhouse with you. Go! At home, Scrooge has a dinner of what looks like wine and ribs, not the usual Dickens fare. His housekeeper Mrs. Dilber (Monica) says he’s eating in bed again. Perhaps the house is too big and empty for him. He tells her, that will be all, and she takes his tray.
The clock strikes midnight. Scrooge wakes. Marley’s ghost (Tracy) floats through the door and glides in. Scrooge quakes, pulling up the covers
At the hospital, Anna asks Chase if Finn has always been wound up so tight. He had a family, and she wonders what’s to blame for his lack of Christmas cheer. Chase says their father went overboard. They had actual sleigh bells that chimed throughout the season. She says, that might be it, and Finn says, you think? Violet finds Finn, and says, the story is getting scary. She asks if he’ll sit with her, and they go back together. Monica reads that Scrooge fought against his senses.
Scrooge asks who the ghost is, and the ghost tells Scrooge to ask who he was. In life, the ghost was his partner in business, Marley. Scrooge doesn’t believe it, thinking it’s just a dream brought on by indigestion. Marley tells him, hear me. His time is nearly gone. Marley explains that he wore the chain he forged in life, link by link and yard by yard, having made it of his own free will. He’s there to warn Scrooge; Scrooge has yet a chance and hope of escaping the same fate. Scrooge asks, how? and Marley says he will be visited by three spirits, each arriving at the stroke of midnight. Without them, he has no hope of escaping the same fate. Marley starts to fade, and Scrooge calls for him to come back, as he fades away. Scrooge wakes up, and laughs, saying, it was just a dream.
The clock strikes midnight, and The Ghost of Christmas Past (Josslyn) arrives. He asks if she’s the spirit whose coming was foretold to him, and she says she is. He asks who or what she is, and she explains she’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. He says, long past? and she says, no. Your past. She tells him to rise and walk with her. He puts on his robe, and she tells him to take her hand. Reluctantly, he does.
The ghost and Scrooge appear at an outdoor party in the park. Fezziwig (Ned) tells everyone a holiday party couldn’t be more welcome. He tells them to eat, drink, and be merry. Scrooge says, it’s old Fezziwig alive again. He was Fezziwig’s apprentice; Fezziwig taught him everything. Young Scrooge (Chase) is approached by another man (Michael), and Scrooge says, it’s him with Dick Wilkins. They were in business together. Fezziwig says, no more work tonight. It’s Christmas Eve. Time to enjoy themselves. Wilkins asks young Scrooge, what’s wrong? and young Scrooge says he has no interest in a celebration. Wilkins tells him to suit himself. Scrooge tells the ghost that Fezziwig threw the grandest parties. The ghost says, a small matter, to make these silly folks so full of gratitude. He’s merely spent a few pounds of their mortal money. Is that so much that he deserves praise? Scrooge says, it’s not about money. He has the power to render them happy or unhappy; to make their service light or burdensome. The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. Belle (Willow) kisses young Scrooge’s cheek. Scrooge tells the ghost, it’s Belle, the love of his life
At GH, Violet asks Finn, what next? and he says they’ll find out together. Monica reads, he was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair young girl in a mourning-dress: in whose eyes there were tears, which sparkled in the light that shone out of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
The ghost says Scrooge and Belle were engaged. What happened? Belle asks if young Scrooge can’t stop working for one night and dance. He says, Christmas Eve is not a holiday in and of itself. Wilkins says Scrooge isn’t interested in having fun, since he’s just standing there. Can he steal Scrooge’s lady for a dance? Belle says she’d be delighted, and they dance. Young Scrooge starts to leave, and Fezziwig asks where he’s going. He says he has figures to review, but Fezziwig says, it can wait. Take a moment and enjoy life. Otherwise, it will pass by him. Young Scrooge leaves anyway.
Now in Scrooge’s office, Belle tells young Scrooge that he’ll never stop loving anything more than money. It’s not a marriage she wishes to be part of. He asks what she means, and she says she’s sorry, but she cannot marry him. She leaves, and Scrooge tells the ghost, show him no more. Let him home now. But the ghost says she has one more thing to show him.
An older Belle (Anna) and an older Dick Wilkins (Robert) are on a stroll. Scrooge says, Belle. Wilkins says he ran into an old friend; Scrooge. He went by the office. Belle says, he was working on Christmas? and Wilkins asks if it surprises her. She supposes not. She says, poor Scrooge. He’s all alone in the world. Scrooge tells the ghost, please take him back. She takes his hand, and they disappear. Scrooge wakes, and says, it was but a dream. The clock strikes, and he says, no. It can’t be twelve again. Surely the clock is broken. He hears laughter, and a voice says, hello, Scrooge. The Ghost of Christmas Present (Obrecht), reclines on his couch. She says, just in time. Look upon me.
Reading to the children, Monica says, I am the Ghost of Christmas Present, said the Spirit. Look upon me! Scrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur.
Scrooge says, I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it. The ghost tells him to touch her gown, and when he does, they disappear. Scrooge asks where they are, and she says, it’s Christmas day, this very year. Doesn’t he recognize his own nephew’s home? He says he’s never been there. Fred and his wife Clara (Maxie) are entertaining the charity man and his wife (Jordan). Fred tells them, then his uncle called Christmas a humbug. They laugh, and the man says he’ll spare them what Scrooge said when he asked him to give. His wife says Scrooge is rich, but it does him little good, and the man suggests they don’t bother with Scrooge anymore, and carry on with the game. Fred does a pantomime, and the man’s wife says, an animal. Fred says she’s correct. The man asks if he roams the streets, and Fred says he does. The man asks if he travels alone or in a pack, and Clara says, Scrooge! Fred says, right you are, and they toast to Scrooge. The ghost holds out her arm, and Scrooge touches her robe.
Scrooge and the ghost look into a window. The Cratchit’s eldest son, Peter (Cameron) tells his mother (Elizabeth), Tiny Tim (Aiden) sang the sweetest of all. Cratchit says she should have been there, but Emily wonders who would cook dinner then. Scrooge says he knows these people. It’s Bob Cratchit’s house. They look so happy with so little. Cratchit toasts to Scrooge, the founder of their feast. Emily says, Scrooge is a hard, silly man, and Cratchit says, it’s Christmas day. She says she’ll drink for the sake of her husband and the day, but not for Scrooge. They toast, and Cratchit suggests they say grace. Merry Christmas and may God bless them. Tiny Tim says, God bless us, every one, and starts to cough. The ghost turns away, and Scrooge asks if Tiny Tim will live. She says she sees a vacant seat at the chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner. Scrooge says, tell him Tiny Tim is not going to die, but she says, if these shadows remain unaltered by the future, he will die, but if he has to die, he’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population. She holds out her arm.
Back at his house, Scrooge asks if the ghost is okay, and she says she exists only for a brief time. The present is waiting. He’d do well to remember that. She fades away leaving only her holly crown. The clock strikes midnight again, and Scrooge holds his head. The wind blows through the house, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come stands before him.
In the real world, Monica says, for in the very air through which this Spirit moved, it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery. Ned asks if it’s not too scary, but Anna says, they’re loving it. Monica continues, it was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand. But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
The ghost reveals its face, and it’s Ava. Scrooge asks if she’s the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, and she nods. He says she is about to show him shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us. He fears her more than all the others, but knows her purpose is to go him good, and he’s prepared. He goes with her.
They appear in a graveyard. Fred says he doesn’t know what he expected, and Clara says, the people who showed up, did so for a free lunch. He says, some might yet arrive, but she says, he was a miser, poor soul. Good riddance. Fred repeats, goodriddance, and they leave. Scrooge wonders why they’d says such a thing, and the ghost pounds the ground with her cycle. Mrs. Dilber and another servant (Brook) go through some belongings. The servant says, if wanted to keep them after he was dead, he would have been more natural in life. He would have had someone there instead of gasping his last alone by himself. Scrooge says he sees the case of this unhappy man might be his own cycle.
At the Cratchit’s house, Peter says, cheer up mother. The man to whom they were in debt to has passed. He saw the man’s servants gathering his possessions. It will give them time to get back on their feet. It’s the one piece of good news they’ve had this Christmas season. Cratchit comes in, and Emily asks where he was. He says he was at Tiny Tim’s grave. He wanted to make sure to wish him a merry Christmas. He holds his wife, and his son comes along the other side. Scrooge sees the crutch next to the fireplace, and says, no. It can’t be. Tiny Tim dead?Surely the future can be changed; can it not? The ghost looks at him, and turns away.
Scrooge and the spirit stand in the graveyard once more. Scrooge asks why bring him back to show him this man’s grave again? The ghost points, and he sees his own grave stone.
Scrooge says the spirit’s nature has interceded for him, and taken pity on him. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life. The ghost walks toward him, and he falls into the grave.
Mrs. Dilber draws back the drapes, and Scrooge asks, what day is it? She says, Christmas day, sir. He asks her to say it again, and she does. He says he hasn’t missed it. The spirits did it all in one night. Surprising the hell out of her, he kisses her, and runs out. Outside, he sees the same kids who asked him for a penny. He says, sweet children, do you know the poulter on the next corner; the one with the prize turkey in the window? Buy it. He gives them each a crown, and tells them, run like the wind.
His next stop is Fred’s house. He bursts in, and says, merry Christmas to his nephew, his nephew’s wife, and guests. Clara says they weren’t expecting him, but he says he can’t stay. However, he would be remiss not to wish them a merry Christmas. It’s high time they settle the question of Fred’s inheritance. He’s family, and should be regarded as such by the court. He asks Fred to pardon his previous unkindness, and to stop by after the holidays. They’ll make arrangements. He says he must go, and jets. They’re all like, wha-a-at?
Scrooge goes to the Cratchit house, and Peter answers the door. Scrooge gives him the turkey, and tells him to take it to the kitchen. He asks Cratchit to accept it as a sincere apology. It’s come to his attention that Cratchit is long overdue for a significant raise, and his salary is going to be doubled. He doesn’t want to keep them from their Christmas feast, and says he doesn’t expect to see Cratchit in the office until after the New Year. Tiny Tim says he doesn’t have to leave. They’d be honored if he joined them. Scrooge says he’d like that very much.
They hold hands around the table, and Tiny Tim says, God bless us every one.
Monica reads, Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. Ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One! Everyone applauds.
Curtis tells everyone, the roads are cleared. They’re good to go. Brook bets Tracy can’t wait to get back to her house, and away from the riff-raff. Tracy says she thinks she’ll stay and help out. Ned shrugs at Michael and Brook, and follows her. Anna tells Finn, it worked out. They’ll be on their way soon. Finn suggests they go by Felicia’s Christmas party, and Anna asks, why the change of heart? He says it’s the first time he’s experienced Christmas as a father, and for a moment, he saw it through Violet’s eyes. Violet tells Finn, it was the best story ever. He says he thought so. And it was a nice reminder that Christmas isn’t just about the presents. It teaches us to love, be charitable, share the joy, and all that good stuff. Anna thinks it’s not a bad idea to keep it in their hearts all year.
Violet says, God bless us, every one. Snow falls, and the camera pans out to show the scene is inside a snow globe.
On Christmas Eve, there will be a repeat encore episode, GH is preempted on Christmas for football, and on Thursday, Nelle asks to hold Wiley, and Mike says someone took his wife.
Below Deck
Smoke inundates the galley. In her interview, Kate knows it’s not Kevin’s fault the exhaust fan is broken, but why is he using the grill? If she didn’t have a blender, she wouldn’t push margaritas. She tells Courtney, some of the signs of the apocalypse are smoke, children, in-laws, and diarrhea. The deckhands bring in the water toys. In Ashton’s interview, he compares Rhylee’s knots to a child learning to tie their shoe laces for the first time. The way she’s doing it is dangerous and frustrating. He needs everyone to rush and get everything done, and they’re wasting time trying to untie her knots. Kevin prepares lunch, and Kate asks for all available deck crew. Kevin thinks the grandparents will be happy with his Greek style lunch. As lunch is served, Albert says there must be two of Kevin. There’s no way one person cranked all this out. Everyone is happy. Kate says it’s the first time family style has worked out.
Captain Lee calls engineer Darrian to the bridge – a rarity! Darrian says the exhaust fan is a mystery, and the captain says, the hits just keep coming. Still at lunch, Albert says they nailed it, except for the beach excursion. Scott – who seems to be the whiner of the group – says he’s not sure it was really treacherous, and thinks they would have been fine. Because he’s a boat captain? An engineer? A map reader? He’s an asshat for sure. In Brian’s interview, he says he always has fun with Courtney until someone else arrives. Then she puts her guard up. He likes her, and wants to spend more time with her.
Master Pearson is hesitant about the slide, and Rhylee says, you know what they say about the slide?. When in Thailand… I don’t think anyone says that, but it works, and Pearson goes down the slide, giving his dad a high-five afterward. Captain Lee tells Kate that the ride back for the grandparents is going to be there in fifteen minutes. Kate says it’s a genius way to deal with the in-laws; just have them for lunch. Kate tells him the primary wants him to join them for dinner; it’s a roaring 20s theme. The captain asks if there’s going to be bathtub gin. The boat comes, and the grandparents leave. Ashton doesn’t want Rhylee doing anything, and she says, nice team work. He tells her to take a break.
The captain puts on his tux, admiring his reflection, and saying, looking GQ. In his interview, he says, when things don’t go as planned, they have to pull out all the stops. Tonight, he’s going to dress up, and help get the guests in a good mood. A gentleman doesn’t leave home without his tux. It’s just good taste. The guests get ready for dinner. Kate says the deckhands are going to hate them, since there will be feathers everywhere. In Kate’s interview, she says she used to love theme parties, and was good at costume parties in her 20s. Darrian gets the fan going, and creates a record of us seeing an off camera crew member twice in one show. Kate says she loves him, calling him a superhero and a legend.
Captain Lee joins the guests, telling them it’s his best Titanic Halloween costume. Kevin is making steak and broccoli soup, with crème brulee for dessert. He says the guests haven’t had the best experience, so he’s knocking it out of the park. Pearson says the soup is laaaaame. Kate tells Kevin the three words she heard were delicious, wonderful, and really good, which is really four words. Ashton radios Rhylee to meet him and Tanner on the bow. He gives them lines, and asks them to practice the bowline knot. In Ashton’s interview, he says it’s a knot that’s easily loosened. Even if they only gain an extra five seconds, he knows from personal experience that five seconds can cost a lot. Ashton says Rhylee seems to have an issue, and she says it’s not something she’s used a lot. She doesn’t know what to say, Ashton says the less she says, the better. In this situation, he’s her superior. Geez. While I can understand that Rhylee should learn the way things are done on that particular boat, that was a little aggressive. In Rhylee’s interview, she says Ashton doesn’t respect her as a co-worker or a person. Ashton tells her not to come there with her attitude again. Rhylee says she’ll just keep taking his. They’re her issue now.
Kevin sings that his steak is the best steak in world. Albert thanks Captain Lee for bringing out all the water toys, and the captain asks if Pearson wore the slide out. Pearson says he did. Aston says he’s watched Tanner struggle with knots, and Rhylee needs to learn. Tanner ties one satisfactorily, and Ashton says Rhylee takes everything he asks as a personal attack. Elsewhere, Rhylee says she’ll stick to polishing. In her interview, she says, it’s not the only kind of knot. Ashton is being a classic child, and she thinks it’s BS. It’s not fair to her. She helps serve dinner. Pearson whines, and mom Torrie thinks it’s bedtime. She tells Pearson that he’s making a scene. Kate tells Kevin, Master Pearson is having a tantrum. Torrie comes into the galley, and tells them no dessert for Pearson since he’s not behaving. She tells Pearson, next time, listen to mommy, and takes him off to bed. Kevin gives Kate some crème brulee, which she appreciates. The captain tells the guests that he has to finish some work, and they thank him for joining them. Ashton tells Kate that Rhylee is up if she’s needed. Kate goes to bed, and Simone tells Courtney that Tanner keeps coming to her, saying he just wants to make sure they’re one the same page, and that it’s casual. It’s making her uncomfortable. Courtney says, it’s awkward, and Simone says she’s not acting like she’s in love. That’s not the case.
Rhylee tells Kate that she’s tired of Ashton acting like she’s not there or does poorly. Kate says, as long as things are safe. In Kate’s interview, she says she commiserates. Ashton isn’t easy to deal with, but at the same time, Rhylee has to learn to take direction. She doesn’t feel like she’s dealing with mature individuals. She tells Rhylee that Ashton is an a-hole.
Final day of charter. Tanner tells Brian about Ashton taking a power stance with Rhylee. You don’t talk to your superior that way. Brian is glad Ashton is finally standing up. It gets hectic. Tanner says, Rhylee is never wrong, and Brian says, you should just do your job. Tanner says, it’s all you can do. The guests are up, and coffee is made. Albert is surprised that Kate remembered he likes honey. Kevin asks Tanner, what’s going on? and Tanner says he was telling Simone about keeping it casual. In her interview, Kate says Tanner wants it done, but this must be his first boatmance. Boatmances don’t end. You have to ship out
Ashton tells Brian that Tanner filled him in on their conversation about Rhylee. Brian says he’s just putting it out there, but he’s in for the last two charters. In Ashton’s interview, he says he thought maybe it was just him, but if another crew member is saying the same thing, it’s probably not going to change.
Kevin makes pancakes, and tells them, rise, baby, rise. He checks out how the guests are doing, and Albert says, the experience has been great. The captain calls Kate to the wheelhouse. He explains that a tender is going to pick up the guests, since they have to take on fuel from a barge. He says he’ll knock out the tip meeting while they’re fueling, then tie up, and knock over their flip. In his interview, he says every country has different rules and regulations. Instead of going straight to the dock, they have to tie to a barge for fuel. Kate tells Albert that they’ll be departing on the tender.
Brian asks Courtney if she wants to go for a drink before the crew goes out, and she says okay. It’s time for the crew to change into their whites, and Captain Lee calls everyone to the aft deck, where there are hugs and goodbyes. Pearson says his favorite part was the slide. Albert says, it was a wonderful vacation, and Kevin knocked it out of the park. Torrie says they were great with the kids. Her only bummer was that they couldn’t go to the beach. Other than that, they had a great time, and they were happy they were able to come. She’s an idiot. Pearson wants to be a captain when he grows up.
The crew gets excited about a dog riding on the fuel barge. The captain calls the crew to the crew mess. He says he thought it went well. The interior was great, and the guests were happy, and Kevin nailed it. The tip is $16,500; $1500 and change each. In her interview, Kate says it’s not the tip she was expecting or hoping for. There were children and several itinerary requests. She admits there was a day filled with smoke, and Ashton canceled the beach party. They were probably docked a grand for that. They’re living and working together, and being stressed out for one reason; to make as much money as possible. She’s tired of doing all the work there. The captain says they’re heading to the dock, where they’re going to get as much done as they can. The boat docks.
Brian asks if Ashton minds if he leaves early to take Courtney for a drink. Courtney tells Kate that she’s grumpy because she has to leave at 5. In her interview, she says she needs at least two business days’ notice for a date, but she likes Brian, so she’ll suck it up and go. She complains that she has nothing to wear, and Kate says she’s never seen this side of Courtney. Tanner says he’s going to have a heat stroke. Tanner wants to go out, but he’s afraid if he talks to another girl, he’ll be hearing about how Simone is jealous. I’m like, wtf? She just said she wanted him to be respectful. I don’t think she was jealous at all. Ashton calls his mom, and says it’s different being in the leadership role. She’s just glad he had no accidents. In Ashton’s interview, he says he’s had issues in the past with his parents. They divorced when he was five years old, but in the last few years, they’ve become extremely close. His mom asks if the other lady is okay, and he says, Kate is Kate. You never know what you’re going to get. She tells him to laugh or make a joke. In his interview, he says it was hard to let his mom know when he went into yachting. He knew she’d be sad not to see him. It effects all of them in that way; they’re not with their families as much as they want to be.
In her interview, Courtney says she’s anxious. She hasn’t been on that many dates, and dates are weird. You want to be emotionally prepared. Emotionally prepared? What kind of dates has she been on? Tanner asks Simone if she wants to have a drink on the sundeck, and Courtney and Brian leave. At the restaurant, they sit outside, and Brian asks if Courtney wants champagne. She says she doesn’t think it exists in Thailand. She tells him that she’s super grumpy, and he says he’s trying to cheer her up. In Brian’s interview, he says, Courtney is hard to please, but hopefully, she’ll come around eventually. He wishes he had a puppy. He suggests he and Courtney have a drink, go back to the boat and relax, and have a good time tonight.
Tanner says Simone kept asking about them, and he wants to be honest. He wonders if they’re on different mindwaves, but Simone thinks they’re on the same one. He says they have two weeks left, and it would be unfair of him to lead her on. He doesn’t want to be an a-hole. She says when he said he just wanted to have fun, she knew what he was saying. He says he doesn’t want to hurt her, and she laughs. He says she’s a cool chick, and in her interview, she says, what the hell? He’s the definition of a f***boy. She’ll just smile and leave. She tells him that she appreciates it, and thinks he’s great. They’re good.
Courtney tells Brian she’s slowly getting lower in her chair. She doesn’t really want to go out tonight either. In Brian’s interview, he says, it’s disappointing. All the time and effort he put into arranging the date, and it feels like he’s taking her to the dentist. It was supposed to be fun. She should have just said she didn’t want to go. They go back to the boat, and Courtney says, tonight is going to seriously suck. I think Courtney seriously sucks. She’s acting like a brat.
The crew gets ready go out. In Simone’s interview, she says she’s not that girl who wants to make a guy upset by looking good, but she does want to try to punish Tanner a little. When she looks sufficiently hot, they leave for shore. Ashton says, Smashton is coming out, and tells Brian that Courtney is a keeper. Kate asks if Courtney is playing it aloof. Courtney says she’s not. She just doesn’t know him well. She’s never going to either, if she keeps behaving the way she is.
Bangla Road, Phuket. It’s like some kind of circus. Almost like the end of the original mini-series of The Stand when they’re in Vegas. Ashton says, this place is alive. In Kate’s interview, she says, Bangla Road is the most wild place on the planet. It’s like Vegas meets spring break. You can see a ping pong show, get a piercing, a tattoo, and an STD all at the same time. Where else is there a Starbuck’s next to a donkey show? They go to a club, where they get bottle service. No surprise, Courtney doesn’t want to be there. Ashton yells at Courtney to wake up. She tells Brian that she feels sweating and gross, but he says she looks amazing and wonderful. In Courtney’s interview, she says she wants to go, but the thought of being alone in a taxi in Thailand for an hour is unbearable. The club might be scary, but outside, it might be scarier. Brian says, Smashton is out of his cage. In Ashton’s interview, he says, it’s been a hard few days’ work, and this is the perfect playground for Smashton. He can feel Smashton wanting to come out and have fun. Kate asks Tanner about his talk with Simone, and he says, she was cool about it. Kate says, Simone is the hottest girl on the dance floor; she’s looking good. Tanner says he’s always wanted to hook up with Kate, and she says he’s twenty-five; he’s a kid. She tells him, calm down. He says, this is his song, and goes out on the dance floor. He ends up dancing, along with Smashton, on some kind of stage thing. Courtney looks sick. Kate tries get her up, but she won’t budge. Courtney and Brian leave, and Courtney gives him a kiss in the taxi. Rhylee and Simone get in with them, and the others get in another one.
Ashton kisses Kate, who wipes her mouth. In her interview, she says she hasn’t given any signs that she would want this opportunity. She doesn’t care how drunk she is – even blackout drunk – she doesn’t make out with someone accidentally twice. She moves to the back seat next to Tanner. Ashton keeps trying to reach back and touch her, and she tells him to stop. He says if she gets drunk, maybe she’ll get lucky, and she says she’s never been that drunk, and he’ll never get that lucky. In the other taxi, Brian gives Rhylee and Simone roses out of a bouquet he bought, and gives the rest to Courtney. Courtney says he’s cute.
Ashton says Tanner’s mom is cool, and Kate asks what’s going on with Ashton’s mom. For whatever drunk reason, Ashton takes offense to this, and says, that was a weak blow. She says they were just talking about Tanner’s mom, and she asked how his mom is. He asks if she thinks she’s a better person for calling his mom out, He turns around in his seat, and tells her to get TF over herself. He tells Kevin, that’s his family, and Kevin tells him, it’s all right. Kevin wisely asks the driver to pull the van over. Ashton gets stupid, and Kevin tells him, calm down. Ashton punches the car door. Seriously, wtf?
Kevin tells Ashton, calm down, bro. Ashton says she has no right to bring his family into it. What gives her the right? In her interview, Kate says, this is not okay. It’s like Ashton morphed into the Incredible Hulk, but it’s not incredible being stuck in a small space with him, and being the target of his anger. Brian kisses Courtney, and Rhylee and Simone tell each other how beautiful they are, and talk about how much fun they had dancing. Tanner tells Ashton, they’re heading back; let’s chill. It doesn’t matter. Ashton quiets down, and Tanner leans back in his seat. Kate says he did very good, and she gives him a peck. He clearly wants more, and knocks over a bunch of beer cans, saying, Jiminy Cricket.
Brian tells Courtney that she looks beautiful, and she thanks him. Tanner says he’s effed up. Kate wonders where Rhylee is. When she finds Rhylee, she says, Ashton is a psycho. He showed it. Ashton and Tanner go to the galley. They make toasties and get the galley full of smoke. Kate says smoke is the least of her concerns. She’s concerned about Ashton’s behavior. Simone asks Courtney if she wants to eavesdrop. Ashton says, it’s his crew, and he’ll manage them as he sees fit. He’ll tell her when he needs advice. She says she didn’t know making fun of Tanner’s mother was a management issue. He says she needs to be put in her place. She’s disrespected his deck crew. Kate says they were talking about Tanner’s mother, and she complimented Ashton’s mother. Ashton says Kate knows less than she thinks. She thinks she knows everything, and he’s sick of her and her attitude. She thinks she’s better than the rest of the crew. He asks Tanner what he thinks, and Tanner says Kate gets away with more than other people do. Ashton is like, ah-ha! and says Tanner is supporting his viewpoint, although not quite. Courtney tells Simone, this is going to be awkward tomorrow. Kate says they can find another chief stew. She quits.
Rhylee follows Kate to her bunk, Ashton says, Kate attacked his family, and he got emotional. Where is he even getting this? Kate says she’d like to gracefully get off the boat. Rhylee says, right now? and Kate says she can’t stay in this environment. Rhylee gets that, and Kate says, then don’t argue with her. She has enough money; she can get a hotel room and a plane ticket. She wants to gather her things, and looks for her phone and passport. She tells the cameraman to tell his friends in the control room that she’d like to go. They can figure it out. Just get her off this boat.
Next time, Rhylee asks if Kate wants to talk to Captain Lee, a producer asks where Kate is going, and Kate says don’t follow her.
📺 Project Runway will be back on January 2nd, 2020, at 9 pm, and Laverne Cox will be guest judge.. This Thursday, December 26th, Part Three of The Real Housewives of Orange County: Reunion will air at 10 pm. The Real Housewives of New Jersey and The Real Housewives of Dallas will be back on January 1st at 8 pm and 9 pm, respectively. Sure. I’ll be spending my holiday evening watching that. Like I’ll tear myself away from my personal annual Downton Abbey marathon. American Idol will premiere its new season on February 16th, at 8 PM.
🍊 A real quickie on The Real Housewives of Orange County: Reunion, Part Two. If you think about it, they should really just call it what it is, a rehash. Not much happens, except a stroll down the show’s Memory Lane with tons of clips, and the women yelling at each other over issues they’ve finally managed to forget about. So basically, same sh*t, different day. Which was exactly what we saw tonight. One of my personal highlights was finding out that Braunwyn spends $4000 to $5000 a month on groceries. She said this included, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets, like it would make a huge difference at that price point. I also enjoyed the misuse of words, like when Tamra mistook free range for free reign. There was a big discussion on accountability, or as Housewives lingo would put it, owning it. Kelly and Vicki hugged it out, with Vicki saying she was over the pig thing, and Kelly sort of apologizing, but adding that she’d felt backed into a corner. We’ll see how long that lasts. The show ended with Vicki screeching at Braunwyn for her display of nakedness, yelling that they don’t do that on her show, and totally ignoring Kelly, who suggested she tell Tamra the same thing. Vicki also made sure that we again knew She. Started. The. Show. Next time, we can look forward to Vicki telling the show to eff off.
🗽 Now That She’s Free From Egg Pressure…
And she’ll never have to swing on a trapeze again either. At least not in public.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Cocktail hour before the auction at the gallery commences. Trina tells Ava, anyone who is anyone in Port Charles is there. Ava says, not everyone. Not yet. She thinks it’s going to be a lucrative evening. It will be interesting to see what happens when Helena’s portrait is put up for auction.
Cameron finds Elizabeth asleep on one of the couches in the hospital waiting area. She says she didn’t mean to fall asleep, but she wanted to be there the second Franco wakes up.
Andre tends to Franco, while Peter watches through the window. Andre sees Peter, and beckons him to come in. Peter says he’s sorry he’s hovering. How’s Franco? Andre says, his vitals are strong. He’s just waiting for Franco to regain consciousness; then they’ll know more. He thanks Peter again for saving his life. Peter says he’s just glad Andre and Franco are okay. Andre says, it’s the second time someone tried to prevent the procedure from being performed. Someone has gone through a lot of effort to interfere with his work
In the hallway, Anna is on the phone with Finn. She wants to let him know things have calmed down at the hospital. Finn says her friend Andre has more lives than a cat. He asks if she wants to join him and Violet for dinner at Kelly’s. She says, she’d like to, but she can’t. He asks, why not? and she says there’s something more pressing she needs to take care of.
At Kelly’s, Chase asks if Willow is okay. She says she is, but he tells her, It’s okay if she’s not. Most people wouldn’t be; she’s had a rough couple of days. He asks what she’s thinking about. Lucas? Nelle? Her mother? She says, all of the above.
Charlotte and Rocco run into Kelly’s, arguing about Charlotte doing a triple-axel. Charlotte says Rocco is just jealous because he can’t do it, and he says he’ll race her to the table. Dustin asks if Lulu wants to race, but she says she got her cardio in with ice skating. He says she’s pretty good, and she says he’s a saint, spending his day off with her and the kids. He says, the kids are good, and she says, what about her? He says she’s not so bad. He wouldn’t turn down some alone time. She kisses him, and tells the kids they’re just getting ice cream. She has to get Charlotte home, and Rocco is having a sleepover. Charlotte asks if Lulu is having a sleepover with Dustin.
Laura and Curtis arrive at the gallery. She tells Jax, sorry they’re late, but he says they didn’t miss anything. She sees Helena’s portrait on display, and says, there it is in front of them. Jax says Ava is nothing if not shrewd. She’s giving all of them a chance to buy it, fair and square. Laura asks if he thinks Ava knows the codicil is in the painting, but he tells her that couldn’t say. Jax’s phone dings, and he steps out to the hallway. Curtis is glad Jax and his deep pockets are on their on side, and Laura says, it can’t hurt. She looks around, and Curtis says he knows she’s not worried. There’s no way in hell anyone else is leaving with the portrait. Laura says she wouldn’t be so sure. Nina and Valentin walk in.
Jax meets Nikolas in the alleyway behind the gallery. He’d hoped Nikolas was joking, and had the good sense not to be there. Nikolas asks where else he would be? and Jax says, hiding at his house. He and Nikolas’s mother have it covered. Nikolas says not until they have the portrait, and Jax says, then stop interrupting him so he can make it happen.
Willow tells Chase that she’s trying to focus on what she can control. There’s nothing she can do about Lucas or Nelle. He says, that leaves her mother. Willow says she wants to rebuild their relationship. She misses her mother, but it got complicated with Shiloh. Her mother regrets what she did, and Willow can forgive her, but doesn’t change what Shiloh did, and what Willow had to give up. Chase says, being Wiley’s mother. Willow sees Finn coming in with Violet, and says they’ll talk later. Finn asks if Violet remembers Willow and her Uncle Chase, and Violet says, of course (🍷) she does. Chase asks if her dad has been boring her, and Finn says Chase is a bad influence. Chase says it’s an uncle’s prerogative, and he’s the luckiest uncle in the world. Violet asks, why? and he says he has the coolest niece. Violet might know her; her name is Violet. Violet says, that’s her, and Chase takes her into his lap. Willow says she has to get going. She wants to see Brad and Lucas before visiting hours are over. She tells Chase to stay; she’ll see him at home. When she’s gone, Finn asks if it was something he said.
Willow leans on the wall outside. Maxie comes along with James, and asks if she’s okay.
Elizabeth tells Cameron, Franco knew the risks of the procedure not working, but he said he’d come back. She’s choosing to believe him.
Andre and Peter come out, and Andre thanks Peter again. Peter says he only did what anyone would have done. Anna says, not everyone would put themselves in the line of fire, but he did. Andre says he and Franco owe Peter big time. He tells them that he should give Elizabeth an update, and goes to the waiting area. Anna asks how Peter is feeling, and Peter says, fine; why? She says it’s normal to feel uneasy after shooting a man in the OR, and Peter admits it was a first. Anna says, hopefully, the gunman will pull through, and they’ll be able to question him about who sent him.
Elizabeth asks Andre if there’s any news. He says, Franco’s vitals are excellent. He’s just waiting for Franco to wake up, to see how the procedure affected him; then see where they go from there. Elizabeth asks if Andre is confident that he’ll wake up, and Andre says everyone who has gone through the procedure has regained consciousness, so he has no reason to believe Franco will be any different. He tells Elizabeth and Cameron that Franco did understand the risks beforehand, and signed a DNR order.
Ava tells Curtis and Laura, J. Garrin is considered divisive, and Curtis says, not the appreciation for his work. Didn’t one of his abstracts sell for $100K at Christie’s? Nina asks if anyone wants a drink, and Ava says she’ll show Nina to the bar. Laura asks Curtis to give her a moment alone with Valentin. Valentin asks if he should prepare for one of her signature tongue lashings, and she says, always. But this time she doesn’t want to talk about him. She wants to talk about Charlotte.
Lulu asks why Charlotte would think she was having a sleepover with Dustin, and Rocco says grown-ups have them too. She asks how they know this, and Charlotte says, Nina slept over when she and papa were boyfriend and girlfriend. Are Lulu and Dustin boyfriend and girlfriend? Lulu says, um… and Dustin give the kids money to get ice cream, saying he’ll save their seats. Dustin tells Lulu that he doesn’t think Charlotte fell for it, but Lulu says, Charlotte will be back to trying to convince Rocco that she pulled off a triple axel in no time. She’s sorry they embarrassed him, but he says, they didn’t. She says she keeps forgetting he works with teenagers. He says, it’s natural for them to be curious. He and Lulu have been seeing each other a while. Lulu says it sounds like they’re getting serious, and Dustin says, aren’t they?
Valentin says if Laura has a legitimate concern about Charlotte, he’ll listen. But if she’s just going to parrot Lulu… She says Valentin can’t make a decision about Charlotte’s safety without sharing it with Lulu. He should have told Lulu about Charlotte’s bodyguard. He says, what bodyguard?
Jax tells Nikolas that he has no reason to be there; he’s a liability. Nikolas disagrees, and Jax asks what can he do, besides lurk? Nikolas says he’s streaming the security footage on his tablet. There’s room filled with prospective buyers, including his wealthy and murderous uncle, who want the portrait. He wonders what Valentin and Laura are talking about. They don’t seem to be enjoying the conversation. Jax says, someone has to deal with Valentin, and he’d rather it be him than Nikolas’s mother.
Dustin asks if he brought up serious too soon. Lulu says, no, but he says the panic in her eyes suggests otherwise. She says she likes that things are getting more serious, but they skipped some of the bases on their way to home plate. He asks if she means having sex on the first date, and being walked in on. She says she’ll send him her therapy bill. He says it’s been three months, and she asks if he’s counting. He says, a little, but it’s okay if they take it slow. She asks if he’s sure. What if Charlotte is on to something? Does he want to sleep over? She kisses him. At the counter, Charlotte tells Rocco that she’ll do a triple axel next time. She needs more practice, so she’s going to be on the ice every day. He says she’s going to crack her head, but she says her bodyguard will make sure nothing happens to her. Rocco laughs, and says, what?
Valentin tells Laura that he didn’t hire a bodyguard. She says, not even after Charlotte was abducted? He says he has private security, but no one is watching Charlotte, and if they were, he’d tell Lulu, so she would realize Charlotte is being watched, not stalked. Laura believes him, and says, Charlotte is convinced she has a secret bodyguard. Is it possible that she has an imaginary friend? He says, absolutely not. That doesn’t sound like Charlotte at all.
Nikolas tells Jax that he’s taking the portrait home, and he’s prepared to do it by any means necessary. Jax asks, how? Does he plan to sneak in and grab it? Nikolas says, of course (🍷) not, and Jax says, then what? Oh, wait. He’s going to wait for the winner’s driver to load the painting, and then whack them in the head and steal the car? Better yet, is he going to threaten the driver’s family if they don’t leave town, and tell them they’ll never see their daughter again? That’s his M.O. Nikolas hopes it doesn’t come to that. It’s on Jax to win the portrait, but he has a contingency plan if Jax fails. Jax says, that’s not happening, and Nikolas says, prove it. Jax goes back inside, and Nikolas goes back to his tablet.
Nina asks Ava if it’s all set, and Ava says, trust her. None of these fools will know what hit them. Nina says, cheers to that, and Curtis says, cheers to what?
Finn tells Chase, Willow took off after he showed up. He didn’t shower. Is Chase sure it wasn’t him? He’s been told by some that he can be an acquired taste. Chase says they told Finn the truth, but Willow leaving had nothing to do with him. She has a lot going on. Finn says, by looks of it, he’s not the only one who heard Nelle was admitted to GH. Chase says, thankfully, Willow doesn’t even know what Nelle looks like. Finn asks if Chase is going to tell him what’s going on or keep him guessing. Chase looks at Violet, who’s coloring, and Finn says, she’s in her own world. Chase says, for a minute, Willow thought she was pregnant. She’s not, but she didn’t tell him until after the fact. It’s like Pandora’s box. Once you start thinking about parenthood, it’s nearly impossible to stop.
Willow tells Maxie, she’s just overwhelmed. Willow asks James how he is, and Maxie says, he had too much fun at the park. Willow asks how Maxie is, and Maxie says, it’s been a bittersweet couple of days. Lucas hasn’t woken up. Willow says she’s headed there now, and Maxie says she’s been keeping her mind elsewhere, so she doesn’t not lose her mind. Willow asks if she’s had any luck, and Maxie says she started with the Kon Mari program. She needs to get rid of the clutter in her apartment. It’s been chaotic since Peter moved in. She’s been boxing up Georgie and James’s old clothes, so someone else can use them. James has grown a lot since last year.
Peter tells Anna that he doesn’t want the man’s blood on his hands. Anna says, don’t. Even when forced to kill for the greater good, it says with you. It was fortunate he didn’t want to send a reporter, and he says it was out of consideration for the family. She says Elizabeth should know the lengths he went to in order to spare them. Did he always do his own reporting? He asks what’s up with the third degree? Does she think he’s lying? She says, of course (🍷) not.
Andre tells Elizabeth and Cameron, if Franco ends up without brain function, he didn’t want to be on life support.He didn’t want to live that way. Cameron tells him, Drew decided that, but Elizabeth says, he won the right to determine his own medical care. Cameron asks how long they have to wait before the DNR kicks in, but Andre suggests they not get ahead of themselves. He has every reason to believe Franco will regain consciousness. They have to be patient. He’ll give them some privacy. Cameron flashes back to Franco giving him his phone.
Laura asks if Trina is a fan of art, and Trina says she is, but she’s interning at the gallery. She’s studying fine art, and not so fine art. Laura says if she’s referring to Helena’s portrait; she couldn’t agree more. If it was up to her, every image of that horrible woman would be wiped off the face of the planet. Trina asks if she knew Helena, and Laura says Helena was her son’s grandmother. Trina asks if Laura is bidding for him, and Laura says, in a way. Her son died a few years ago, but his legacy and family are important to her. In a strange twisted way, the portrait embodies that legacy. Trina hopes Laura wins, for her son. Laura says, her too. It would mean a lot to his son, and the rest of the family. Trina says she’s rooting for Laura, and Laura thanks her.
Valentin says, let him guess, Jax is bidding on the piece that’s a collision of technology and nature. Jax tells him, save the pretense, but Valentin says, that’s no fun. Jax says he’s glad Valentin came. He’s going to enjoy watching him fail. Valentin says, may the best man win, and Jax says, he always does.
Curtis approaches Nina, but she says, now is not a good time. Ava says they’re almost ready, and Curtis steers Nina into the hallway. She asks, what is it? and he says she’s been dodging him. She says she’s been busy, and he tells her that he has important information about Valentin. It’s clear Valentin has been lying about Sasha, and he has proof.
Ava says, ladies and gentlemen. She can’t tell them how thrilled she is at how quickly some pieces have moved, but she believes she knows why some of them are there. The auction centerpiece, a rescued J. Garrin original portrait of Helena Cassadine, matriarch of the Cassadine family. They’re ready to start the bidding. She introduces the auctioneer, Mr. Key, and says he’ll take it from there. Mr. Key says he’s starting the bidding at $10K. Valentin bids $50K.
At the pier, Lulu says the launch isn’t there yet, and Rocco asks if he and Charlotte can watch the boats. She says, of course (🍷),but stay away from the edge. Dustin suggests he grab some things from home, and meet her later. She kisses him, while Charlotte and Rocco skip rocks. Charlotte pulls Rocco back, and says if he falls, she’s not going to save him. He says maybe her imaginary secret bodyguard will. She says she’s not making it up. Her bodyguard is real, and she’ll prove it to him.
Nina asks Curtis, what proof? and he says he followed up on the DNA test that was supposed to indicate Sasha was her daughter. As it turns out, the sample is from a mother and daughter, just not them. She asks what that means, and he says, all he’s saying is, he didn’t watch Sasha use the swab. He gave it to her, and returned for the sample. Valentin could have given Sasha another swab, and she had help from someone who knew their way around the lab. Nina says, Obrecht, and Curtis says, call him crazy, but she doesn’t seem surprised about Valentin lying to her. She says she’s not, and goes back into the auction.
Valentin bids $100K, and Jax bids $150K. Mr. Key says, going once… Going twice, and Valentin says, $300K. Nina tells Jax, whatever he thinks he’s doing, stop it now.
Anna says she doesn’t think Peter is lying. She just asking because there’s going be an extensive follow-up. The police are going to want to know everything that happened in detail, and she doesn’t think he’s prepared to tell them what they want to know. Andre goes by, and Peter says maybe Andre has an update, and they follow him. Elizabeth asks, what’s going on? Is Franco waking up? Andre says, there’s been no change yet, but he’s gotten an update on the man who tried to kill him.
Elizabeth asks if the gunman is out of surgery, and Andre says, yes; he didn’t make it. Peter asks if he’s dead, and Andre says, yeah, and with him any chance to find out who hired him to kill himself and Franco. A sound from one of Franco’s machines is heard, and Andre does an about-face. Anna asks if he’s okay, and Cameron and Elizabeth follow Andre. Andre says, there’s been a spike in Franco’s heart rate. Cameron asks if that’s bad, and Franco’s eyelids flutter.
Finn asks Chase, what’s the matter? Didn’t anyone ever talk to him about using protection? Chase says he and Willow were responsible. Besides, it was a false alarm. Finn says, good. Kids are amazing, but he’s barely ready to be a father, and he has a few years on Chase. Chase says, a few? and Finn says, hilarious. What would Chase have done if it hadn’t been the preferred outcome? Chase says he’s not ready to be a father just yet, but he’s committed to a future with Willow. He loves her, so he’d be all in; the stroller, the minivan, the whole thing, but he’s not going to lie. He’s not ready. Finn says Chase will be a good dad when the time comes. Everything will work out, so what’s the problem? Chase says he just thought it brought back feelings about Wiley for Willow.
Maxie tells Willow, it’s amzing how fast kids grow from week to week. In a couple of months, you forget what they used to look like. She apologizes for rambling. She realizes James isn’t much older than Wiley. Willow says, it’s fine. Maxie doesn’t have to walk on eggshells around her. Maxie says she does have some understanding about how Willow feels. She went through a messy custody situation with Georgie, that she created herself. She thought she could give Georgie up, but she couldn’t. Willow says she’s sorry. It was different with her. She gave Wiley up to protect him from Shiloh, and she can never regret that.
Mr. Key says, $300K. Going once… Going twice… Nina tells Jax that she said stop, and drags him out. She tells him that if he keeps bidding, he’ll regret it.
Nikolas watches on his tablet. Valentin bids $400K, and Mr. Key says, going once… Going twice… Laura says, $450K. Ava is thrilled. Me too. This is fun.
Mr. Key says, a bid for $450K from the mayor. Ava says, that was quite a bid. Is Laura sure? Laura says, Ava heard her, and Mr. Key says, $450. Going once… Going twice… A waitress slams into Valentin, distracting him, and Mr. Key says, sold! Curtis and Laura fist bump, and Valentin looks furious. Suddenly, the painting is ablaze. Nikolas says, dammit! No! Everyone watches in shock as the portrait burns. Nina smiles, and Ava looks satisfied.
Dustin and Lulu kiss. Charlotte asks Rocco if he wants proof, and jumps into the water.
Willow tells Maxie that she doesn’t regret it. She protected Wiley from Shiloh. She’s so grateful he has two parents who love him. Maxie says, that doesn’t make it hurt any less, and Willow says, not really. She says, she’d better run before visiting hours are over.
Chase tells Finn that he knows Wiley is in Willow’s heart. He overestimated how well Willow was coping with giving him up and still seeing him. Finn says, it’s got to be hard. Anna still grapples with her decision to give up Peter.
Anna asks if Peter is okay, and he says, yeah. It’s a lot to process. She’s sure he can take comfort in having saved Franco and Andre’s lives.
Andre says, a rising heartrate means Franco is closer to consciousness. He tells Elizabeth and Cameron, talk to him. Help him find his way. Elizabeth touches Franco’s face, and says they’re here for him. They love him so much, and he said he’d come back to them. They’re here waiting. Cameron has no idea what to say, and Elizabeth says they just love him so much. Franco’s eyes start to open.
Tomorrow, Trina asks who Nikolas is and what he’s doing there, Valentin says the portrait is gone along with its many secrets, and Dustin tells Lulu to call 911.
Below Deck
Ashton tells the deckhands that the captain was in the crew mess, and Kate had the audacity to throw their clothing all over the place. He doesn’t care what Brian said; it doesn’t effing matter. Who TF does Kate think she is? Kate goes to her bunk, crying. Brian is upset that Courtney took Kate’s side, and she says she tried to talk to him about it, but he shut the car door in her face, dismissing her. In Brian’s interview, he says Kate is the issue, and is starting sh*t to get a reaction. It’s disappointing and frustrating that Courtney is taking her side. Kate tells Rhylee, the entire crew hates her. In Kate’s interview, she says she’s not feeling so great. Everywhere she turns, she’s being attacked. We flash back to incidents with Simone, Kevin, and Brian. She doesn’t know what she did to these people. She doesn’t feel it should be her job to point out that they need to respect her stripes, but she wishes somebody would.
Tanner texts, U up? to Simone. She texts that she can’t sleep, and Tanner tells Brian that they’re pulling the old switcheroo. Simone goes to Tanner’s bunk, and Brian apologizes to Courtney. In Simone’s interview, she says, she’s weak. Brian tells Courtney, he misses her, and gets in her bunk. In her interview, she says, he’s like a lost puppy.
Courtney helps Kevin, while the deckhands finish up getting the boat ready. Rhylee says, it’s hot already, and Ashton says that’s why he likes being on deck early. And he’s still drunk. The captain calls Kate to join him for a cup of coffee. Rhylee asks how Ashton feels about the elephant in her room, now that he’s sober. In her interview, Rhylee says, Kate is used to the captain jumping to her defense. She doesn’t want to betray Kate, but she does get favored, and runs the ship however she wants. Ashton says she’s taking advantage. Maybe the previous crews allowed her to get away with it, but he doesn’t think this crew is going to.
Captain Lee tells Kate he’s not going to tolerate someone blowing up. She says if she hadn’t been drinking 10 am, she probably wouldn’t have thrown the clothes on the floor. He says she’s got to be above that. In Kate’s interview, she says it’s never great to have a talk with Captain Lee about behavior he’s witnessed the night before. She’s so hungover, and there’s make up on her face from crying. The captain tells her that they have a good crew their responsible, and Ashton has to make sure it stays that way. In his interview, Captain Lee says he’s worked with Kate for five years, and she’s earned preferential treatment, but her behavior is inappropriate, and he’s disappointed. It can never happen again. She says she’s sorry she threw the uniforms on the ground. The captain hopes it’s the worst thing she ever does. She promises it won’t happen again.
Courtney tells Kate that everyone washed their clothes, and left hers in a pile. In Kate’s interview, she says, thank God Courtney is good at her job. It feels like Courtney is the only person who respects her at all. The captain calls Ashton, Kate, and Kevin in for the preference sheet meeting.
He says he wasn’t pleased about last night, and going forward, he expects them to act like adults. This shouldn’t be a difficult charter, and he suggests they not screw it up. He passes out the sheets, and Kate says, Master Pearson. It’s repeat guests, Torrie and Albert. Kate says the kids have grown up so much. Captain Lee says, one of the guests who’s coming back, is the one Chandler dropped on her ass. We flash back to that, and he says he wants to send her back with less bruises this time. In Ashton’s interview, he says, it was a sh*t show. We flash back to Chandler dropping the guest, the guests getting stranded with no supplies, and Pearson wailing when he stepped on broken glass. Ashton says as much as he and Kate are at each other throats, they need to put their personal differences aside. They can’t mess this up. The captain says they want to see a traditional Thai dance performance, and Torrie wants to surprise husband and children with Albert’s parents, who live there. He tells Kevin that he’ll have two more guests for lunch that day. They also want a roaring 20s party. Kate asks if there won’t be any alcohol, since there was Prohibition, and the captain suggests bathtub gin.
Ashton calls Kate, and asks if she has a minute. Kate says she hates today so much. In his interview, he says, at this point, it’s obvious Kate has no respect for his position or the rest of the crew. They should be setting the example, and Kate thinks she’s better than everyone. It’s frustrating that she gets away with murder. She asks. what’s up? and he says, obviously there was a bit of a scene in the crew mess last night. She says Brian called her a bitch, and she got mad at Brian. Ashton says, it’s important for him to find out why something brings him to that level, and I’m surprised Kate shows so much restraint in not slapping him for acting like her elementary school teacher. Or A therapist. He says, when they’re told a time to be ready before an excursion, he feels like she and Rhylee don’t care. That’s where his frustration is coming from. In her interview, Kate wonders who Ashton thinks he is. Has he lost his mind? She thought he was going to apologize, not bitch about something else. Kate says, sorry he got frustrated.
Kevin tells the captain that the exhaust fan in the galley isn’t working, and the engineer has no clue what’s wrong. In his interview, Kevin says, this is going to be a problem. If there’s a smoke smell, nothing will go up. Captain Lee suggests getting another fan, and they’ll try and work with it that way. Kevin goes back to the galley, and the captain says, what else? Ashton tells Brian that Kate didn’t apologize. She said she’s sorry he feels that way. Kate gives Courtney an extra stripe. In Kate’s interview, she says it’s a reward for Courtney, and a punishment for Simone. Between Simone’s bratty behavior, and Courtney being good at her job, Courtney deserves the extra stripe. She tells Courtney that it comes with extra responsibility, and Courtney says, yeah. What she’s doing already. In Courtney’s interview, she says, it’s awkward, but not unwarranted.
Tanner tells Ashton that he got sh*t for dancing with the girl by the pool. He doesn’t want to be with someone who gets jealous this easy. In his interview, he says he likes Simone, but he loves being single. How many people say, thank God I got married? (No comment.) Courtney says it’s hot in the galley already, and Kevin says, it’s just going to get hotter. Simone calls her mom, and explains what happened last night, saying, apparently, Kate threw stuff on the floor. Then she gave the other stew a new position. Her grandmother says, no one is indispensable, and Simone says, she’s evil. In Simone’s interview, she says Kate’s got the wrong person if she wants to get a reaction. She’s not that basic bitch. The provisions come in.
Captain Lee calls a staff meeting, and Tanner says, it’s like being called to the principal’s office. The captain isn’t happy about something. He has two rules; don’t embarrass yourself or the boat. It seems all of them aren’t getting that message. He got an email from the beach club about the behavior of the crew. Cannon balls into the pool resulted in damaging the DJ equipment. We see a clip of Ashton jumping in, and water going all over the boards. In his interview, Ashton says, f***. The captain says they want to be compensated, and it’s justifiable, so the crew will iron it out and pay for it. In Kate’s interview, she says, hilarious. Ashton’s not so perfect. In Ashton’s interview, he says he’s ashamed of it. He’s not perfect. He apologizes to Captain Lee, who appreciates it. Ashton says he’ll cover the cost and apologize to the club. The captain says they’ve been working together for years, and Ashton knows what he expects. In the captain’s interview, he says, Ashton got a pass this time, but the pond Ashton is skating on has thin ice. He gives Ashton the printout of the damage, and says he hopes they get a good tip.
The captain says, fifteen minutes until the guests arrive. Ashton apologizes to Kate for his behavior at the beach club. She’s sure he built up frustration waiting for her and Rhylee, but he says they’re separate issues. In his interview, Ashton says he’s going around with his tail between his legs, and the queen bee bitch needs to have the last say, and drive a knife in his side. He tells Kevin that he doesn’t think it’s cool. Rhylee tells Kate not to make her late. Kate hopes she’s using deodorant and not hair spray on her armpits.
The guests arrive. In Kate’s interview, she says she likes returning guests. It takes away some of the stress of not knowing. But these guests had miserable experience last time, so there’s more pressure to make sure it’s perfect. The captain tells them that Kate will give the tour, and they’ll get out of there and have some fun. I guess he can’t get this party started because, little kids. Torrie says it’s a different vibe on the Valor, and they ship out. Albert thinks it’s more beautiful than Tahiti. After the guests settle in, Courtney asks Albert if he’d like another drink, and he says, the answer will almost always be yes.
Kevin wants to avoid making anything hot, and says, a caprese salad is refreshing on a hot day. Lunch is ready, and the toys are put in the water. Tanner points out all the jellyfish, and Ashton tells the guests that they have a pool they can put in the water. In his interview, he says the pool has a protective net to prevent sea creatures from coming in. He’s definitely been avoiding it, since he’s heard it’s a massive pita to put together, but this is the charter they need to redeem themselves with, so… A guest finds hair on her cheese. In Kate’s interview, she says, it’s disgusting. It’s one of the worst things anyone can experience, and not a good way to start the charter. She shows Kevin. In his interview, he says he can’t believe they’re starting this way. It’s a nightmare. Albert says, strike one, first meal.
In his interview, Kevin says, the first meal sets the tone, but it’s not his fault; it’s not his hair. I’ve noticed nothing is ever Kevin’s fault, but it is his fault. He should have noticed. He sends out a new hair-free plate. Ashton tries to figure out the pool, and he, Brian, and Rhylee set it up, and lower it into the water. Kate calls for a Thai dancer and some décor to go with the performance. In her interview, she says she loves local culture, whatever their location. The guests and crew like it, and while everyone is distracted, it gives her a break. The pool is brought back, and Ashton says, all that work for 40 minutes of play.
Kate says, even the limes are sweating. She’s going to get the fans. In Kate’s interview, she says, it’s just effing hot. If an oscillating fan is blowing on you, you’re somewhere depressing, like the DMV. Packing up the pool is taking forever, and Ashton says, this thing is a sh*t show. Brian tells Rhylee to calm down, although for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. She says she is calm, and tells him, don’t start with her. He says he’s not, and tells her not to get excited. She walks away, saying , he’s an effing moron. She’s not saying anything, and he’s telling her to calm down. She’s effing irritated. The dancer arrives. Kate asks if Rhylee wants some stripes, and Rhylee tells her to give them to the boys. She thinks they know all about stripes. She’s pissed off at Brian, and wonders how somebody so good looking could get under her skin. Ashton tells Brian that if he has an issue with Rhylee, and needs to speak to her, pull her aside. In Ashton’s interview, he says it’s like walking on eggshells dealing with Rhylee. He needs to be careful how he says or explains things. Fighting fire with fire is not going to work, and he doesn’t want to deal with more drama. Kate tells Rhylee, they’re a bit of a bitch, huh?
Lanterns are hung and decorations are put up. Ashton tells Kevin that they can smell smoke on the deck, and Kevin says he’ll just make salads from now on In Kevin’s interview, he says, lunch wasn’t perfect, and he wants to step it up for dinner. He’s making pineapple fried rice, and serving it in baby pineapples, along with meat on a lemongrass skewer. It’s fun for the kids, and looks cool. Kate tells them that they have a surprise before dessert. The dancer comes out, and does her thing. It’s pretty cool, and I love her costume, but she’s wearing… tube socks? In Kate’s interview, she says, the dancer is so festive. Kate respects her; she has commitment to her craft. Everyone takes pictures, and dessert is brought out. No one except Albert is into the dessert. Guest Scott bitches that he expected Michelin star quality food. Ground pork on a stick? He hopes they can do better tomorrow. Kate tells Kevin, and in his interview, Kevin says, obviously, Scott wasn’t looking for meat on a stick tonight, but he thinks there’s no pleasing these guys. Sorry.
Tanner tells Simone, the deck crew has lost seven pounds sweating. He asks if she’s cool with keeping their relationship casual, and she says as long as there’s respect. In Simone’s interview, she says she doesn’t get what’s in his mind. She likes being with him, she likes making out with him, and waking up next to him, but maybe she shouldn’t. Maybe she should be like, stop – she slaps her own wrist – leave the hot man alone. Tanner says as long as they’re on the same page.
The captain tells Ashton and Brian that the water taxi is bringing Albert’s parents out. In Ashton’s interview, he says it’s a surprise arrival of the kids’ grandparents. They already have two kids on board, which is a safety hazard, and now they’ll have two elderly people. Everything they do needs to be calculated. The water taxi heads for the yacht, and on deck, Torrie tells the kids she wonders why the boat is coming so close. The kids see who it is, and get all excited. In her interview, Kate asks if it gets cuter than this. Has this yacht turn into a Hallmark movie? She loves old people. They’re cute and have wisdom. Kevin asks how long the guests will be on the beach, and Kate says, as long as they want. He suggests they put the food on table. In his interview, he says family style is a fairy tale for him. Growing up, he had a small family. He likes how you can sit back and look at the food, and get into it.
On deck, Pearson feels rain, and Torrie says, the wind is getting strong. Driving the first boat to the beach, Ashton isn’t comfortable with the waves, and says he’s sorry he teased them with a beach excursion, but they can’t do it. He doesn’t want the boat to be smashing them. In his interview, he says they’ve dealt with injuries already. The narrow approach, and crashing waves are a bad combination. They can’t have injuries or the guests will pack their bags. Ashton radios Captain Lee, and says he’s not comfortable. The captain says if he can’t do it safely, don’t do it at all. In Kate’s interview, she says they had it on their preference sheet, and the guests were excited. Canceling is a big deal. They’re all screwed. Torrie says, they can’t go? but she’s told, it’s rough, and they can’t risk it.
In Kate’s interview, she says she and Kevin were going to have lunch set up for when the guests came back from the beach, but thanks to Ashton, there’s no beach, they have disappointed guests, and they wasted their time. The captain tells the deckhands to break out the toys; all of them. In Ashton’s interview, he says he avoided one problem, but created another problem. Now they have to rush to make sure the guests aren’t bored and mommy is happy. Captain Lee tells Ashton to put out the pool, and they’ll give the guests as much fun as they can. Kate tells the guests, they’re going to proceed with lunch; it’s one large feast. Tanner tells Ashton, it was the right call. Pearson wants the toys, and Torrie says, they’re setting them up. Kate says, we took circulated air for granted.It’s getting smoky. Tanner says the current is working against them, and asks Rhylee to tie off the line on the pool. She says he just asked her to untie it. Ashton complains about Rhylee’s fishing knots.
It’s really smoky in the galley, and the fire alarm goes off. Torrie says they can go to the island to eat. Rhylee and Tanner continue to bicker over the line. Kate holds up the fan, and tells Kevin that she’s his biggest fan. BA-DUM-CHH! In Kate’s interview, she says the guests are disappointed, and she’s frustrated. It’s hard to think when you’re just trying to survive. It’s chaos. The most wild experience of her life.
Next time, Captain Lee says they have to pull out all the stops, Ashton tells Rhylee not to come at him with that attitude again, Smashton’s out of his cage, and Kate walks.
⛵ A new member of the franchise, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, will premiere on Monday, February 3rd. You can check out a nugget about it here. No sign of Abbi though.
❗ FYI – The finale of The Real Housewives of Orange County is tomorrow (okay, today really), Tuesday, December 17th, but Part One of the Reunion will be the following day, Wednesday, December 18th, at 10 pm. That makes the line-up, New Jersey, Dallas, and Orange County, starting at 8 pm. That’s just too many Wivesin one night, so I’ll see what I can conjure up.
👧 Maybe It’s Me…
It sure looks like they both have the same hairline in the pictures.
and it led me to this song. I love foreign language pop, but this is unique in that it’s nonsense. It’s also pretty catchy, and sounds like it could have been written a lot more recently than 1972.
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
So here’s what happened, I’m guessing just on the east coast. When I turned on GH, it was breaking news, but actually relevant to my area – a shooting in Jersey City. Okay. I get them breaking in for that, especially since it was ongoing and they hadn’t apprehended or killed the suspects at that point in time. Nevertheless, because it’s my job – albeit a volunteer one that I created for myself – I went on the hunt. Here you go.
Scotty asks Elizabeth if Andre said how long it’s going to take, but she says, no. He wonders if they’re just going to sit around, staring at the clock, and asks Cameron how long it took Shiloh and Cabot to scramble Franco’s brain. Cameron says he guesses he was too scared to notice.
Andre tells Franco/Drew that he’s an incredibly brave man. If this works, it’s the last time he’ll know himself. Andre will do his best to make sure the sacrifice isn’t in vain. The program is almost ready.
Peter runs into the hospital. Laura says she needs a word with him, and he asks if it can wait. She says it can’t. It’s city business, and it’s urgent.
At the MetroCourt, Anna hugs Griff. She’s glad to see him, but sorry for the circumstances. She knows he and Lucas were friends. They sit, and she asks how he is. He says, glad to have her back in town. She says she was gone too long, and he says he bets Finn is thrilled. She says Finn had a bit of a surprise for her. It turns out he has a daughter with Hayden. He says, what?! and she says she reacted that way too. He just found out about her; her name’s Violet. He asks how Finn is taking it, and she says, it’s hard being thrust into the role of a father. Griff says he remembers, and she says, that’s right. The same thing happened to him with Charlotte.
Nina holds out her hand to Ava, and asks if Ava will take down the Cassadine boys with her. Ava says, no thanks. She has zero interest in partnering with Nina. Nina asks, why not? and Ava says Nina visited her at Shadybrook because she wanted to get her hands on the portrait. She’s no better than Valentin or Nikolas. Nina says she’s wrong. She’s on Ava’s side, and wants Ava on hers.
Valentin continues to ring Jax’s doorbell, and Jax tells Nikolas to get out of there. He invites Valentin in, and ask what he wants. Valentin says, closure. Things got heated between them at the MetroCourt. Jax admits he wasn’t very gentlemanly, but thinks he got his message across. Valentin says, partly, but if Jax is trying to take his inheritance, he’ll fight back hard. Or they can pool their resources, and they both win.
Nina says when she saw Ava at Shadybrook, Ava was shattered. It broke her heart. Ava asks what she expected after Nikolas said those cruel things to her. Kiki is in hell because of her. Nina asks if Ava wants to let him get away with that, and Ava says, of course (🍷) not. Nina says Nikolas preyed on her vulnerabilities; let’s make him pay. Ava asks why she should trust Nina. How does she know Nina isn’t Valentin’s emissary, and going to prey on her vulnerable state? Nina says she has no interest in helping Valentin. Ava says Nina is in love with Valentin. She probably sprinted home to tell him about the ring, and how Nikolas is alive and well. Nina says Valentin has no idea that the man who broke into Ava’s gallery is Nikolas. Ava tells her to warn him, so he can swoon over her more than he already does. Nina says Ava is right. Valentin loves her and would do anything for her; even fabricate a daughter that didn’t exist. He was behind Sasha’s lies and orchestrated the whole thing. She’s known for months, and it’s her chance to turn the tables.
Valentin tells Jax, the more they fight each other, the more they stand to lose. They’d be better off joining forces to find Helena’s portrait. Isn’t it what they both want? Jax says, so Valentin wants a truce and a collaborator, and Valentin says he does. Jax laughs and says, that’s never going to happen. Valentin says he knows Jax had someone break into Ava’s gallery. Jax feigns ignorance, and Valentin sees the garbage bags full of Nikolas’s clothes. He asks if Jax has a new roommate, and Jax says his daughter is coming to stay with him. Valentin says, daughters are the best; he has one of those. He compliments Jax on his home, and asks if Jax minds if he looks at the sunset. Nina has been raving about the view. Valentin goes out on the terrace, and Jax follows, saying, he’s surprised Nina noticed. She was pretty upset after that debacle of a wedding. Valentin says they’re fixing that soon, and Jax asks if Valentin thinks he’ll make it through the ceremony this time.
Griff tells Anna not to worry. The Charlotte thing isn’t a trigger for him anymore, but he can still remember the feeling of surprise fatherhood; how full you feel in your heart. He asks how Finn is handling it, and Anna says, it’s day by day, but they’re starting a lovely connection. He says, speaking of which, have she and Peter grown closer? She says they’re getting there. He and Maxie came for Thanksgiving. They’re together. Griff says a lot has changed since he left. She says especially Peter, but she thinks he still struggles with being Faison’s son. As much as she tells him that he’s not his father, he can’t allow himself to be happy. She asks how Griff is getting on, and he says work keeps him busy. He still has his faith. The other parts will fall into place when the time is right. Maxie asks if she’s interrupting, and Anna says, of course (🍷) not. Maxie thanks Griff for coming for Lucas. He says he wishes he could have done more in the short time he’s there; he’s leaving Port Charles tonight.
Elizabeth tells Scotty, the last time Franco did the memory transfer, it seemed like forever before he opened his eyes, and when he did, he had no idea who she was. He called her ma’am. Scotty says, that must have been brutal, and she says, this whole ordeal has been brutal. The good news is, it’s about to end. Cameron understands she’s trying to be hopeful for Franco, but he also knows she’s scared. Scotty says they’re all scared. Elizabeth thinks it’s possible to be both at the same time.
Peter tells Laura that he doesn’t have time. He’s there on important Invader business. She says, it’s about The Invader. She sent him an email, and he never replied. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, prisoner overcrowding at Pentenville. They’re considering early release of several prisoners. Her constituents are worried, and there’s been no coverage in The Invader. She expected better from him.
Andre tells Franco, the procedure is mostly out of his hands, but he’s going to work like hell to make sure he comes back as he really is. Suspicious dude comes in, and points a gun at Andre.
Ava says she thought the Valentin/Nina love story was one for the ages, but Nina says, not all love stories end in hearts and flowers. She’s hoping Ava keeps the information she’s giving her between them. Ava asks why should she? and Nina says she’s putting a lot on the line trying to prove herself to Ava. Ava says she wouldn’t worry. Even if she told Valentin, he wouldn’t believe her. Nina says if Ava gives Valentin even a little reason to distrust her, he’ll figure out her plan. Ava asks, who else knows?and Nina says, Jax. Ava says, and he wants the portrait. If Nina wants her help, she’ll have to enlighten Ava. Why do Jax, Valentin, and Nikolas want the portrait? And is Laura next? Maybe she’s just pretending to be Ava’s friend; Nikolas is her son. Nina is sure Laura doesn’t know Nikolas is alive, and if she’s looking for the portrait, it’s for Spencer’s sake. Ava asks why Nina is looking for the portrait.
Jax asks if Valentin is surprised he was invited to the wedding, and Valentin says, no. He’s Nina’s boss, and was invited to the first one. Why wouldn’t he be invited to the second one? Jax says he’s looking forward to it. Almost as much as he’s looking forward to Valentin getting to the point of why he’s there. Valentin says, Spencer. He’s in the dark, right? He’s unaware of the whole mad dash for Helena’s portrait and the codicil. He’s just living the life of the American teenager abroad. Jax says, lucky him, and Valentin wonders how Jax got dragged in. Why is he so desperate to get his hands on Helena’s portrait? If it’s not for Spencer’s sake, then whose?
Maxie tells Griff, that’s so soon. Anna asks Maxie if she and Griff can finish their conversation, and Maxie asks Griff to check in with her before he goes, leaving them to talk. Anna says she was hoping Griff would have a chance to meet Violet, but he says he’s sorry. The losses in Port Charles are still too fresh. She understands, and he hopes he can at least take her to dinner tonight. She says she’ll have to cancel her phlebotomy, and he says her health is more important. He promises to do better at staying in touch. She says getting emails from him is the highlight of her day. He’s doing such great work; for others, and for himself. Duke would be proud of Griff. She is. She tells him keep it up, and he tells her to take care of herself. They exchange I love yous and hug. Anna tells him not to be a stranger.
When Anna leaves, Maxie asks Griff if everything is okay with her, but Griff says they were just catching up. She says she wouldn’t mind some catching up herself, and he says he’d like that. He asks if she and Peter are official, and she says, that’s one way to put it. As of today, they’re officially living in sin.
Peter gives Laura his full assurance that the overcrowding issue will get full coverage in The Invader. She says she’s meeting with community groups and prison officials tonight and tomorrow. He tells her to email the details to him, and text him with updates. He gets in the elevator, and she tells him to at least get it in tomorrow’s website.
Elizabeth reminds Cameron of his playoff game against Sawyer. Their team was down by five goals. She asks if he was scared he was going to lose, and he says, for a while, it looked really bad, but they got more intense and focused, and in the end, they won. She says because they banded together, and turned the game around. She says that’s what they’re doing there. She has faith that between their hope, and Andre’s talents, this procedure will work. Cameron says, what about Scotty? He’s a lawyer. He sees things the way they are, not the way he wants them to be. What does he think is going to happen to Franco once he gets in the operating room?
Andre struggles with suspicious dude, who is now a gunman. The gunman drops his gun, and Andre jumps on him. Andre lands some good punches, and they continue to struggle as the procedure keeps going.
Jax asks if Valentin doesn’t think he has his own reason to want him to fall, and Valentin says, sure, but he also knows Jax isn’t acting alone. Who’s in Jax’s corner? Valentin thinks it’s Laura, acting on Spencer’s behalf. Jax asks if Valentin’s fishing expedition is going to take much longer, and Valentin says whatever they’re paying, he can top it. Jax says, it’s not about the money, and Valentin asks if there’s anything he can do to make peace between them. Jax says, no, and Valentin says he can only assume Jax is moving him out of the way so he can have Nina all to himself.
Nina tells Ava that she’s not interested in that Godforsaken portrait. They’re after the codicil that Helena hid inside. Ava says they’re finally getting somewhere. What codicil? Nina says Valentin’s father left a codicil to his will. It’s supposed to disinherit Valentin, and leave everything to Spencer and Nikolas, and it’s supposed to be hidden in Helena’s portrait. Ava says, that explains a lot, and Nina says, Valentin and Nikolas really want it, but if she and Ava get it, they’ll have a lot of leverage. Ava asks what Nina means by we; she hasn’t agreed to work with Nina. Nina is in love with Valentin, which clouds her judgement. Nina says she’s clear on this; Valentin and Nikolas don’t deserve it. If anyone deserves it, it’s Spencer. Or doesn’t Ava want to help Spencer anymore? She withdrew her statement, so Spencer’s wrongful death suit fell apart. She’s sorry, but Ava didn’t step up. Ava says it’s a mistake she deeply regrets. Spencer should have had peace after losing his father. Nina says, but he didn’t lose his father. Nikolas is alive and wants the portrait. Does Ava want to give it to him? Does she want to give it to Valentin, or does she want what’s behind door number three?
Maxie tells Griff that she and Peter are living together. He congratulates her, saying, they’ve made quite a U-turn. She says, a little of Griff rubbed off on her. All that talk about forgiveness, redemption, not judging, and not casting the first stone. It turns out he was right. He asks how she and Peter got together, and she says they found a connection; first friendship, then more. And it’s not because Peter is Nathan’s half-brother or James’s uncle. They connected on a level she didn’t think she could still reach after Nathan died. He says he’s happy for her, and she says, it took a while. They messed up for a couple of months. They’d get close, then one of them would chicken out and take a step back, but they were finally able to admit their feelings for each other. He says she deserves it, and she appreciates that. She wants Griff to trust he’ll find love again. It won’t replace Kiki or what they had, but they’ll make something new. Laura comes in, and says she’s sorry to interrupt. Maxie says she just said the same thing to Anna; everyone is happy to see Griff. He’s there to help Lucas. Laura says it’s kind of him, and she’s sure it’s a comfort to Bobbie. He says they’re praying for the best; it’s all they can do really. Maxie suggests calling Peter; maybe they can all have dinner. Laura says she just ran into Peter at the hospital, and he barely had time to talk to her.
The gunman gets the better of Andre, and knocks him out. I say, sh*t! He goes over to Franco. Peter walks in, and picks up the gun. The gunman asks what he’s doing, and Peter takes the silencer off of the gun.
Scotty tells Cameron that he has to be honest; he’s scared too, like Elizabeth, but they have to hope. They have to have faith, and believe this is going to work.
Anna comes in, and goes to the reception desk to check in for her phlebotomy appointment. A gunshot is heard, startling everyone. Anna tells the reception nurse to call 911, and tell them there’s an officer on the scene, but to send back up. Elizabeth tells Anna, it sounded like it came from the OR. Anna takes out her gun, and jets. Elizabeth tells Scotty to take care of Cameron, and Scotty pulls Cameron away, despite his protests. Elizabeth follows Anna, and Scotty shoves Cameron into an examining room. Cameron says he has to be with his mom, but Scotty says, they have an active shooter out there. Cameron doesn’t care, but Scotty says he’s not letting Cameron put himself in danger.
Anna busts into the OR, and says, don’t move. Peter says, don’t shoot; he’s unarmed. He tells her the gunman is right there. She sees him lying on the floor, kicks the gun away, and asks, who fired? Peter says, he was just walking by… Elizabeth runs in, and goes to Franco. Anna asks Peter, what happened? but he says he doesn’t know. He came in, and Andre was unconscious. Anna asks if Andre is okay, and Andre says he will be. Elizabeth checks the gunman, and says, he’s still alive.
Jax opens the door, and Valentin says Jax has always been after Nina. He doesn’t blame Jax. She’s brilliant and beautiful, but she’s taken. Jax says Nina is his associate, and he respects her. Valentin says he just happened to be outside the church that day to whisk her away after the wedding, and he just happened to be available to bring her to Windymere the next morning. Jax says, they’re done here, and Valentin says whatever happened between them that night, that’s the last time. Make sure he’s at the wedding. He wants Jax to see who she’s chosen.
Jax closes the door, and Nikolas comes out. He asks if Jax still wants to call it quits, or help him out. Jax tells him, just find his damn ring, and walks out. Nikolas slams the door.
Ava tells Nina, aside from righting the wrong she did to Spencer, she doesn’t see what teaming up with Nina gets her. Nina asks if she doesn’t want to see Valentin lose, and Ava says, who wouldn’t? But as Nina pointed out, the painting is leverage against Valentin and Nikolas, and she has the painting. Nina says, for this reason. Ava forgot she has this. She takes out the ring, and says Ava checked herself into Shadybrook, claiming she saw dead people. What’s going to keep Sonny from taking away her one remaining daughter?
Maxie apologizes for Peter being short with Laura, saying, sometimes he’s so focused on work, he doesn’t realize he’s being rude. Laura says she didn’t take it personally. She just wanted The Invader to be aware that she’s having a meeting tonight about criminal justice reform, and it’s important to get that out to the public. Maxie says she’ll make sure Peter follows up. Laura asks if she can count on them to join her, but Griff says he’s leaving tonight. Laura says, that’s too bad, and Griff says he would have liked to see Lulu. He asks how she is, and Laura asks how much time he has. A lot has changed in Lulu’s life since he left town. Dante volunteered for an undercover assignment with the WSB, and it was rough. He came home with a terrible case of PTSD. He’s in a facility, receiving treatment, but he and Lulu are divorced now. Griff is sorry to hear that, and asks about the kids. Laura says, Rocco is taking it pretty rough; Charlotte, not so much. She misses Dante, but still has Valentin, for better or worse. Jax walks in, as Griff says, Charlotte still has her father. Laura says, loving Charlotte is about the only good thing Valentin does. Jax says, hello, and Griff introduces himself. Jax asks if he heard them mention Charlotte, and Griff asks if he’s a friend of Valentin’s. Maxie says, hardly, and Griff asks how he knows Charlotte. Maxie asks if anyone told Jax how Lulu came to have a child with Valentin, and Jax says he thought it was probably more tactful not to ask. Griff says, for a time, he thought he was Charlotte’s father, and Jax asks if he and Lulu were involved. Maxie says, it’s way more convoluted than that. Laura says, Charlotte was carried by a surrogate, and Maxie adds, a shady lady named Claudette. Jax asks where Valentin fits in, and Maxie says she’s getting to that.
Nina says Ava has been trying to tell people Nikolas is alive, but without the ring as proof, nobody is going to believe her. Ava asks if she’s really lost that much credibility, and Nina says she’s been on a long, downward spiral since Kiki was killed, and she was poised to follow. She gets it. The anger, the hate, the sadness; they have that in common. She’s sorry for everything she did to Ava, but they can change this. They can turn it around. They have Nikolas’s and Valentin’s fate in their hands. Doesn’t it feel good. Ava says follow her. She shows Nina a painting, and removes a layer. Underneath is Helena’s portrait. Nina smiles.
Cameron asks how long they’re supposed to wait, and Scotty says Elizabeth will come get him. Cameron says they haven’t heard anything for a while, but Scotty won’t let him leave. He says Cameron’s mother would have his head, and Franco would kill him if he put Cameron in harm’s way. He knows Cameron is upset, and he’s the horrible step-granddad, but come soccer season, he’ll be the granddad on the sidelines, cheering Cameron on. He wants to be out there too, but they can’t. Not until everything has been neutralized. Cameron asks what do they do in the meantime? Think happy thoughts until the shooter goes away? Scotty says, why not? He’ll think about how he felt when he found out Franco was his son. Cameron says, what was that like? and Scotty says, it was kind of a nightmare.
Elizabeth asks how Andre feels, and Andre says, a little hazy. She asks if he knows what happened, and he says he started the program, and heard the OR doors open. He turned around, and a man was standing there with a gun in his hand. He rushed the guy, they struggled, and the gun fell to the ground. Andre lunged for it, and it must have been when the guy knocked him out. That’s the last thing he remembers until seeing them. Anna asks how Peter knew something was going on, and Peter says he wanted the story for The Invader. Out of respect for the family, and to make sure no boundaries were crossed, he decided to come there and do the story himself. He was headed for the waiting room, and saw a guy in scrubs. Something seemed off about him. He was lurking, and it seemed like he didn’t want anybody to notice he was there, so Peter waited and watched. Andre says, good intuition, and Peter says he knew Andre had been attacked once before, so when he saw the guy come in, he followed to make sure everything was okay. When he came in, Andre was unconscious, and the guy was standing over him with a gun. They fought, but the guy kept coming at him. He just reacted, and shot him. He didn’t know what else to do. Andre says Peter saved his life, and thanks him. Elizabeth says, what about Franco?His vitals are good, but is the program still running? What’s happening to him?
Nikolas flashes back to being with Ava at Shadybrook, and pulling his hands away from hers. He says, she grabbed his hand. The ring is in her room at Shadybrook.
Nina says, it’s been here the whole time, and Ava says, hiding in plain sight. Nina says she’s brilliant, and Ava agrees. Nina says she’s always hated this picture. It seems benevolent, but the more you look at her, the more vicious she becomes. Ava says, because she’s got a secret, and Nina says, she’s got the codicil inside. Maybe they should cover it until they plan their next move. Ava says she already has. She says she knows exactly what they’re going to do next, and calls Nina partner.
Valentin arrives at the MetroCourt, but sees Jax with everyone, and walks back out. Jax says, so Valentin hired a surrogate who gave birth to Charlotte, then posed as her mother and took off with her. Griff says, Claudette was complicated, and Maxie says, she was a pathological liar. First she tried breaking up Maxie and Nathan, then told Griff that he was Charlotte’s father. Griff says imagine his surprise when Valentin came in, and Charlotte ran to him, calling him papa. Jax says that must have been hard for Griff, and Laura says, it still is. Imagine how Lulu felt, finding out she had a daughter and she’d missed the first years of her life. Jax asks, what happened to Claudette? and Laura says, sadly, she committed suicide. Griff says he doesn’t believe it. He accepts Claudette is dead, but doesn’t believe it was suicide. She had her share of problems, but loved life too much to have killed herself.
Scotty says he doesn’t have to tell Cameron about Franco’s reputation, does he? and Cameron says, it’s all over the internet, and Franco kidnapped Aiden when he was little, so… Scotty says, that was before the tumor was removed. He was worried about his own reputation, so he distanced himself from Franco. Cameron says he did a lot of that himself when Franco started seeing his mother. Scotty says, this whole thing stinks right now. They’re waiting on the procedure, and there’s a lunatic out there with a gun. Cameron tells him not to jump to the worst case scenario before they know what’s going on. Anna knocks at the door, and tells them, the gunman has been subdued. Scotty asks if he’s alive, and she says, he’s in surgery. Franco is unharmed, and Elizabeth is with Andre. They’re trying to figure out what’s going on with Franco and this whole procedure. Scotty asks what went on? and Anna says, someone tried to kill Andre, and Peter saved him. Scotty tells Cameron, let’s get out of here.
Peter wipes the silencer clean of prints, and ditches it in a trashcan. He joins Anna, Scotty, and Cameron, and Scotty says Anna told them that they owe him some thanks for intervening. Cameron asks if anyone knows why the gunman tried to kill Andre, but Anna says, not yet. Scotty says, someone tried to kill Andre when he came to town, the same day Drew died. Anna says, and someone tried to kill Andre today. Cameron thanks Peter for all their family, and Peter says he’s glad he could help, but it all happened so fast; he really didn’t do much. Anna asks if she can talk to Peter for a second, and they go around the corner.
Peter asks if there are any updates on the guy who tried to kill Andre. She says, he’s in surgery. He’s in critical condition.
Elizabeth asks Andre how it’s looking. Andre says, the gunman came in just as the program was starting to run. He wasn’t able to supervise or control any of it. She asks if there’s anything he can do to adjust it, but he says, no. The program just finished running. The screen says, program complete, and she asks if it worked. He says they won’t know until Franco wakes up. She asks Franco to wake up and come back to her.
Tomorrow, Julian says it’s all his fault, Nelle tells Martin that she has to get out of Pentenville immediately, and Sonny says he’s not going to sit around and watch his father die.
The Real Housewives of Orange County
You can dress them up, but you can’t take them out. And some, you can’t even dress up. <sigh>
The women get ready to go to a museum. The three amoebas amigas hang out in Vicki’s room. Tamra says they’re supposed to be going to someone’s house, and Shannon says, he better have good coffee.
Emily tells Gina and Kelly that Tamra sent a video of Vicki going in an ambulance. Kelly guarantees Vicki isn’t hurt. Vicki tried to bully her, and picked on her. Braunwyn says she’s tired of picking sides. Emily says she’s not doing that, but Kelly says, they make you feel like you have to. In her interview, Emily says it’s like high school, but instead of the senior girls hating her, it’s the senior citizens. In Braunwyn’s interview, she’s excited about going to Earnest Hemingway’s house. says she loves the time he lived in; they lacked moderation. She identifies. Tamra wonders who Hemingway is, and if he’s still alive. Vicki checks on her phone, and says he died in 1961, before Tamra was born. Vicki wonders why he still has a house. I don’t even know what to say. Even Max on 2 Broke Girls would know who Hemingway was. Tour guide Rusty greets them at the house. Kelly asks if that’s a lighthouse right next door, and Rusty tells her it was so Hemingway could find his way home from the bars. There are all kinds of unique artifacts in the house, including an original Picasso tchotchke. In her interview, the producer asks Kelly what her favorite Hemingway book is, and she says For Whom the Bells Toll [sic], so points for that, close enough. There are some cats hanging around, and Rusty says Hemingway loved six-toed cats. I actually knew that, so I give myself some points. Emily tries to pet one, but kitteh is not having it. They go outside to the pool. Rusty says there’s an insane story behind it, and Emily says, whatever the story is, Kelly has done worse. I’m pissed when we don’t hear the story. It’s probably going to be in some lost footage extra episode at some point. <another sigh>
Tamra checks Vicki’s leg, and asks if she can walk. Vicki says she can, and picks up a pair of crutches. She insists they must be two different heights, and doesn’t navigate them well. Eventually, she falls, but manages to stumble back to the bed. She slides to the floor, and laugh-cries. Shannon tries to demonstrate how crutches are used, and steps on Vicki’s foot.
After changing clothes, the women meet to do some water sports. Gina is wearing the same surfing top as Kelly, but doesn’t fill it out like Kelly. In Kelly’s interview, she says, Gina went platinum, but she shouldn’t stop at the hair. She needs to get herself some tatas. If she wants to fit in, she can’t have pancakes. She, Gina, and Emily are doing some jet skiing, while Tamra, Shannon, Braunwyn and Vicki go parasailing.
In her interview, Braunwyn says she thought the trip would be the perfect opportunity for them to all work through their issues, but the camp is divided. They’re separated by where they’re staying, separated at dinner, and in the cars. She misses Shannon and Tamra, although I can’t figure out why. It feels like she still doesn’t know Tamra.
Gina wails about fish being in the water. News flash, they were here first. And she’s from Long Island. She’s never seen the ocean or been to the beach? She doesn’t understand why there aren’t more people in the water. In her interview, she says, sharks and whales eat people. It seems inappropriate. Clearly, she’s a genius when it comes to marine life too. Shannon tells the boat captain that Vicki hurt herself running from the popo. On the jet ski, Gina says she’s nervous, and Emily says, mama’s got it. In Emily’s interview, she says she used to date a drug dealer, and he had a boat and lots of jet skis. The instructor, and brother to Captain Obvious, says it must be Gina’s first time. Kelly picks up a starfish, and freaks Gina out with it. I do remember dropping the first one I picked up, since I didn’t realize it would start walking around in my hand.
The instructor gives life jackets to Tamra and Shannon. We flash back to Shannon having a meltdown over the rope climbing course they did in a previous season. In her interview, she says, maybe the string will break. She and Tamra are lifted out, and Shannon repeats, be zen, to herself. She doesn’t know if she can look. Mind you, this is passive parasailing, where she and Tamra are seated, and it’s more like an amusement park ride. The instructor tells them, once they get up, relax. On the way back down, Shannon screams, no touching the water, but she’s not the boss of this, and they glide through it. She says she hates Tamra. Still on the jet skis, Kelly sees stingrays, and Gina sees a shark. In her interview, she says, this is how I die. Kelly still has the starfish, and I get pissed, since if you don’t put them back, they die.
Jet ski guy tells Gina, no one ever died from a hammerhead, but she doesn’t want to go near it. She’s never getting in water again. In her interview, Kelly imitates her and laughs. Tamra lets go of the handlebar, as the parasailing thing goes through the water, and Shannon continues to scream. Kelly gives Gina the starfish for support, and Gina feels better now that she has a weapon. I shake my head. Shannon checks parasailing off her bucket list, never to be done again.
Emily, Gina, and Kelly sit down for lunch. Gina says, shark and jail. Her top two terrible experiences in life. Kelly says Vicki is in a wheelchair. Maybe she should be in a convalescent home. Emily has to explain what that is to Gina, and I start to wonder if anyone even graduated high school. The other women go somewhere else for lunch, and Braunwyn tells them, Kelly admits that she has anger issues. She knows she has a problem, and thinks she should go to therapy. Tamra says, or shock treatment, once again proving her high level of sensitivity toward others.
Kelly wonders why Vicki hates her so much. She doesn’t know how Vicki can have so much hate. She doesn’t know what she did. Gina says the dinner cruise is going to be great. Vicki tells the others that she doesn’t get the girl code thing. Kelly’s ex wanted to date a friend of hers; so what? We flash back to Kelly saying that Vicki is the one who should have told her. Vicki says she thinks Kelly is still in love with Michael, and reinforcing her ignorance about what Kelly was actually angry about. Braunwyn asks if Tamra thinks they can still have a boat ride and have fun tonight, and Tamra says, doesn’t it sound like it?
The women meet at the dock, and have a drink. Tamra asks if everyone had fun, and Gina says, it was like shock therapy. Braunwyn thanks them for coming. In her interview, she says it didn’t go at all as she’d hoped. We flash back to all the screeching, and then more screeching. Tamra has gotten AF hates for everyone, and they put them on. Gina’s says, Single AF, but she thinks it should be Confused AF. Kelly’s says Krazy AF, and in her interview, she says, they want to poke the bear, and thrive on getting her angry. She’s tired of it. Emily tells Kelly, all she can do is handle her own reaction, and admits to flying off the handle too. She says she found herself being reactionary, and yelling in front of her daughter. Then she saw Annabelle yelling at her little brother the same way. She has to get it under control. Kelly suggests they go to anger management together. In Kelly’s interview, she says she gets defensive and reacts. She goes for the jugular, and doesn’t want to live life like that. She needs to learn how to walk away. She says she and Tamra have been in many fights, but Tamra is there to forgive when she screws up. Sure. So Tamra can pat herself on the back and gossip about it later. Kelly says she didn’t know how the Jim thing would affect Tamra, and should have called her. Tamra says she really had Kelly’s back, and Kelly says she knows. Tamra promises to never repeat anything they talk about, and Braunwyn says, a fresh start. She wonders if Vicki and Kelly can have a fresh start. Vicki says Kelly called her a pig, and Gina says, it will take time to heal. Vicki wonders how it’s going low when she does nothing back, but Tamra says, she did, and we flash back to Vicki consistently talking about Kelly and talking to the girl from the bar fight. Braunwyn tells everyone, don’t engage; take a step back. She’s going to get so drunk, they can blame her for everything
Back home, Braunwyn tells Sean there was a lot of drama and fights, but they had fun. They keep rolling. Get in a huge fight, just jump in a convertible, and puke out the side.
Shannon meets a party planner to talk about decorations for Vicki’s engagement party. Tamra gets impatient.
Gina and Sienna get their ceramic on at a pottery place. Sienna wants to be Batgirl when she grows up.
Eddie, Tamra, Braunwyn, Sean, Shannon, and Ken meet for dinner. Tamra tells Braunwyn that they don’t have many couple friends. In her interview, Shannon explains that Ken doesn’t live in California, but they’ve kept in touch. He’s in town, and they’re having fun. Eddie asks why the girls keep calling him babe, and Shannon says when they first went out, she called him that without thinking. Tamra says they had a lot of fun on the trip, and it makes her sad. Kelly and Vicki have known each other a long time. She hopes they can come to an understanding, and bury the hatchet. They’ve both gone dirty. It’s not like one is worse than the other. Shannon says going low causes long term damage. She went through that with Vicki. Tamra says Vicki did it to her and Eddie, and Shannon says she did it to David too. Tamra says, when she feels backed into a corner, she attacks. Shannon says Vicki and Kelly are alike that way. Tamra tells Shannon that Kelly and Emily are going to anger management together. Acknowledging anger is the first step. Maybe they can agree to disagree. In Shannon’s interview, she says she’s been in therapy a long time, and seen an improvement. One session isn’t going to change anything. In Tamra’s interview, she says, if Kelly doesn’t go to Vicki’s engagement party, she might regret it. If she can get back on track with Vicki, she knows Kelly can. Tamra says she invited Kelly to Vicki’s engagement party, but she might not go.
Kelly and Brian hit balls at the batting cages. Kelly gets four to Brian’s zero. She tells him that she talked to Tamra, who invited her to go to Vicki’s engagement party. Vicki keeps going after her, and these people are like Jekyll and Hyde. Brian asks if she thinks they can save the friendship. Is there anything left? Kelly says, no, and he says, then stop trying. Kelly says she’s done. In her interview, she says, why go? Vicki will be nice to her, then cut her, and then pour salt in the wound. Vicki wants to take her down. It doesn’t make sense. Brian tells her to think about priorities. Kelly asks what’s next for them, and he says they need to start looking for a place. She says she’s not moving in with him without being engaged. In Kelly’s interview, she says, Brian clearly has commitment issues, but she wants to do things the right way. If he can’t meet her criteria, bye Phillipe. Brian says they’re not getting tired of each other – yet.
In Gina’s interview, she says they’ve sold the Codo house. She looks around and sees happy memories, but there are also bad memories. She calls Susan, who compliments Gina on her shorter hair – which does look a million times better – and Gina says she took the extensions out, and is letting her hair get healthy. Good call. She tells Susan that they’re packing; the deal is going through. Both she and Matt are excited, and it will be a done deal in two weeks. Susan asks how it affected the relationship, and Gina says they’re not getting divorced. Susan says, wow, and I second that. Gina says, it’s the first time Matt has been in a fight for his family. They both get it now, and they’re more connected. In her interview, Gina says, they’ve been through a lot – we flash back to the main points in their relationship throughout Gina’s two seasons. She says she’s going to embrace this. Susan says she didn’t know Matt well. She knew the Matt that he wanted to present, but she knows him better now. He had a genuine moment when he found out Sienna needed to go to therapy. She could see in his face that he understood. Gina says, it was a wake-up call, and Susan says, marriage is hard work. If you hang in, you get to a special place where you know the person in a more complete way. In Gina’s interview, she says she’d be naïve to trust Matt 100%, but she’s doing her best to let go of the anger, and let her guard down. That’s the only way it’s going to work.
In her interview, Tamra says, Spencer broke up with his girlfriend, and he’s never had this kind of pain. Since then, he’s gotten four tattoos, and a septum ring, and he’s dyed his hair three different colors. Who is he? Ryan comes in, and Spencer says he looks like a struggling alcoholic with his shades on. Ryan says he’s struggling, but Spencer is already there. Tamra says they had their last conversation on social media. In Tamra’s interview, she says she wants her sons to sit down and talk it out. She wants everything normal again. Ryan says he didn’t anticipate some of the things Spencer said. Spencer has to be more understanding about how their upbringings and lives are different. Spencer says he’s grateful for what he’s gotten, and doesn’t try to take advantage of it. Tamra says, sounds good, and Ryan says, Spencer has done it in the past, but Spencer says he’s over it. He points out that Tamra has been pissed about work, and taking it out on others. In her interview, Tamra says someone is trying to rip everything away from her – we see media coverage of the lawsuit with Jim – and she’s been taking it out on Eddie and the kids. Spencer says they don’t talk that often, and Tamra says she’s been up until four the last few nights talking to him. Spencer says she just told him, get over it. In Tamra’s interview, she says she was on the phone with Spencer when she was in Florida, trying to help him with the break up. She doesn’t know where this is coming from. Spencer has a broken heart. He’s upset, and taking it out on her. Spencer thinks they should address it, and Ryan says the whole family is like that, and Tamra is no different than anyone else in the family. Tamra gets up, and says this is his family too, and it’s difficult on everybody. In her interview, she says Ryan isn’t speaking to his father. Spencer isn’t speaking to his father, and Sidney doesn’t speak to her. It’s the most dysfunctional functional family ever. Spencer says they crack jokes to deal with things.
Kelly and Emily meet with therapist Mike at the beach, and they sit. Kelly says she needs to learn how to walk away, and not let herself get angry. He asks what goals they have. If he waved a magic wand, what would they want changed? Emily says when her husband rubs her the wrong way, it makes her mad. She gets defensive, and she’s quick to snap at him. Sometimes, he deserves it, but not all the time. He asks where she thinks it comes from a hard childhood. Her dad left when she was young, and her mom was a single mother. Emily was angry as a kid. In Emily’s interview, she says she wondered why she had to put herself on the bus, why there was no lunch money, and why there was no food. Kelly says she had a good childhood, but her mom was combative, and had a sharp tongue. If you’re going to fight with her, game on. Emily says she noticed her six-year-old yelling at her brother, who’s four. She was really going at him, and it crushed Emily’s soul. She realized a change was needed, and she had to dig deeper and choose loving kindness. Mike tells them to close their eyes. Who do they see as the person who’s always easy to love? Kelly says, her daughter Jolie, and Emily says her three kids. He tells them to move on to the person or people who are most difficult to love. Emily says, her parents, and Kell says Vicki, Eric, and Michael. Mike tells them to say, may you be happy; may you be healthy; may you be peaceful. Kelly flashes back to Vicki giving her the finger, and says she wants to punch Vicki in the face. Ha-ha-ha! He says if they react, they’re letting them win. The ultimate winning is to cultivate calm. Emily says she realizes she’s hard on herself. She wants her kids to be perfect, her house to be perfect, and her husband to be perfect. She grew up in chaos. He says she has to learn to loosen her grip, with herself too, in order to learn how to be kind to other people. Kelly says it takes everything in her not to lose her sh*t with Vicki. She doesn’t want to hate Vicki, and wants to act with love and kindness. She wants her daughter to be a better form of her, and she’s an example. He tells her that when she Vicki says something, see her daughter in her mind’s eye, and do it for her. Kelly says, it’s brilliant. He asks what they can do differently, and Emily says she’s going to take what she learned home, and focus on a visualization of her kids. She wants to think of them being happy and healthy, and tell herself that she’s better than this. Mike wants to talk about Vicki. What are they doing at present; using avoidance? Kelly says she does try to avoid Vicki, and he says, change happens through experience. When people have a phobia, it’s not the idea of a snake, but the experience of seeing one, and the person realizing they’re not going to die, that cures it. Experiences profoundly change us. Emily says when she sees Vicki, she’s not going to let Vicki get her goat. She can deal with her. She can go with the tools she’s cultivated today. Kelly says she feels like Emily is at level 400, and she’s regressed to the GED level.
In Kelly’s interview, she says she doesn’t want to succumb to being vicious and angry. She wants to be more kind and loving, and hopes this works. Emily thinks it’s an opportunity for Kelly to prove Vicki wrong, and be classy. Mike says it’s the ultimate test, and Kelly has what it takes.
Next time – the finale – Emily wonders how much Matt has really changed, Vicki’s engagement party, Shannon is disappointed in Kelly, and Tamra yells eff you and runs off.
🎉 Happy Birthday, Dear Scotty…
Does anyone remember Kin’s brother Wil, who had a talk show for five minutes?
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 